Just back from the pediatrician...again...
Daycare called around 11:15 to say that Charlie's rash was worse. I missed the call, though, and when I called back at 12:15 he was already down for nap. I rushed around to get everything done and was very unsurprised when they called back around 1:15. Charlie had just woken up and his rash was raised and very red...so off I went in yoga pants...to daycare...then to the pediatrician...in yoga pants. While I am proud to say that I do not have the tush I had (or even half the tush I had) when I was 9 months pregnant, I still in no way, shape or form have a tush that should be seen in public in yoga pants. But I guess that's motherhood.
Back to Charlie...the pediatrician's office had called when I was in picking him up from daycare, so I called back to get his results from the strep test. It isn't "common strep", which causes strep throat, but strep bacteria did grow...so... yeah? Anyway, the doctor recommended that he stay on his antibiotic, and when I asked if it could be causing the rash, which has definitely become worse since he started the new one on Friday, she asked us to come in.
So, after 4 trips to and from the car in pouring rain (approximately 1 hour after I had blown my hair dry) and an hour in the waiting room with a very bored, very active Charlie (all the while wearing yoga pants in public!), we saw Dr. Tripp. Thankfully, she does not appear to think I'm crazy, and even more important, believes that the rash is just part of the whatever virus Charlie has. She even wrote him a note to go back to school tomorrow, since he doesn't even seem to notice the rash and she's certain it isn't contagious.
So, I guess the lessons of the day are:
1 - Never wash all of your jeans at the same time
2 - Never blow your hair dry on a rainy day
3 - If you're really not crazy, the doctor won't think you are
And the best news of all? I don't have to make dinner! We're headed out with our neighbors John & Trish. Woohoo!
Swamp
Monday, September 27, 2010
He's baaack....
Yeah! Charlie's back and the lethargic, crabby, hollow-eyed baby is gone! We couldn't be more thrilled.
After three days of sleeping, fussing and refusing to eat, a second trip to the doctor and a second round of antibiotics (that apparently don't taste as good as amoxicillin), it might have been strep. The test was so faint though, that they had to send it to the lab Friday afternoon and the results won't be back until today.
It is not, however, diabetic ketoacidocis... You see, Thursday and Friday Charlie's breath smelled strongly of rubbing alchohol, and since he was still extremely lethargic, I thought I should look it up online and see if I could find any hints as to what he might have and whether or not he needed to return to the doctor. Well, according to all of the perfectly reliable internet sites I found, breath smelling of rubbing alcohol can be caused by one of two things: 1 - ingesting rubbing alcohol, 2 - diabetic ketoacidosis.
The latter is accompanied by lethargy (Charlie had been napping 4 to 6 hours per day and then sleeping all night -- and this is the kid who barely gets in a 2 hour nap!), loss of appetite (by lunchtime Friday he'd only had half a Dora yogurt!), and severe dehydration (huh? not sure...but probably not).
So, I called the doctor, related his symptoms and asked if I should come in...all the while picturing weeks, months and years of doctors and procedures and special diets, etc. Since he was so lethargic, they did recommend that I bring him back in, and of course, he perked right up in the waiting room, playing, laughing at the fish and trying to escape to the "well kids" side, terrifying a mother of a small baby.
Since Dr. Tripp is so great, she didn't even laugh at me once we made it to the exam room, but assured me that a child with DK would not be flirting with her, throwing goldfish or reveling in the I Spy books. She did however do the strep test, which came back "inconclusive".
Saturday morning was still a bit iffy, but by Saturday afternoon we saw sparks of our Charlie. He and I took Otis for a walk to the swings, where he insisted that I swing along side of him, and he actually ate some dinner, before topping off the day by feeding the fish with Bob.
Unfortunately for Charlie, he missed out on our guest Saturday evening. A boy in the neighborhood found a Boston Terrier running loose and immediately brought it to our house (shocker!). Amazingly enough it wasn't Otis, but within an hour we'd named the new dog Luis, and he and Otis were leaping furniture and wrestling on the living room floor. Knowing how terrified I would be if Otis were missing, I posted a note on our neighborhood Facebook page, and Luis' real owners came racing up to the door less than an hour later. Apparently Luis (aka Mercutio) had made a run for it right after dinner. Alas, no second dog for us... Otis is still pouting.
Uncomfortable with taking Charlie to the nursery after just 3 doses of the new antibiotic, we all stayed home from church yesterday, but celebrated the return of our ornery little monster with blueberry and banana pancakes, and a full day of Daddy time. By bedtime Jason and I were both exhausted -- apparently Charlie needed to make up for all of the rest he'd gotten over the last few days with constant activity.
After three days of sleeping, fussing and refusing to eat, a second trip to the doctor and a second round of antibiotics (that apparently don't taste as good as amoxicillin), it might have been strep. The test was so faint though, that they had to send it to the lab Friday afternoon and the results won't be back until today.
It is not, however, diabetic ketoacidocis... You see, Thursday and Friday Charlie's breath smelled strongly of rubbing alchohol, and since he was still extremely lethargic, I thought I should look it up online and see if I could find any hints as to what he might have and whether or not he needed to return to the doctor. Well, according to all of the perfectly reliable internet sites I found, breath smelling of rubbing alcohol can be caused by one of two things: 1 - ingesting rubbing alcohol, 2 - diabetic ketoacidosis.
The latter is accompanied by lethargy (Charlie had been napping 4 to 6 hours per day and then sleeping all night -- and this is the kid who barely gets in a 2 hour nap!), loss of appetite (by lunchtime Friday he'd only had half a Dora yogurt!), and severe dehydration (huh? not sure...but probably not).
So, I called the doctor, related his symptoms and asked if I should come in...all the while picturing weeks, months and years of doctors and procedures and special diets, etc. Since he was so lethargic, they did recommend that I bring him back in, and of course, he perked right up in the waiting room, playing, laughing at the fish and trying to escape to the "well kids" side, terrifying a mother of a small baby.
Since Dr. Tripp is so great, she didn't even laugh at me once we made it to the exam room, but assured me that a child with DK would not be flirting with her, throwing goldfish or reveling in the I Spy books. She did however do the strep test, which came back "inconclusive".
Saturday morning was still a bit iffy, but by Saturday afternoon we saw sparks of our Charlie. He and I took Otis for a walk to the swings, where he insisted that I swing along side of him, and he actually ate some dinner, before topping off the day by feeding the fish with Bob.
Unfortunately for Charlie, he missed out on our guest Saturday evening. A boy in the neighborhood found a Boston Terrier running loose and immediately brought it to our house (shocker!). Amazingly enough it wasn't Otis, but within an hour we'd named the new dog Luis, and he and Otis were leaping furniture and wrestling on the living room floor. Knowing how terrified I would be if Otis were missing, I posted a note on our neighborhood Facebook page, and Luis' real owners came racing up to the door less than an hour later. Apparently Luis (aka Mercutio) had made a run for it right after dinner. Alas, no second dog for us... Otis is still pouting.
Uncomfortable with taking Charlie to the nursery after just 3 doses of the new antibiotic, we all stayed home from church yesterday, but celebrated the return of our ornery little monster with blueberry and banana pancakes, and a full day of Daddy time. By bedtime Jason and I were both exhausted -- apparently Charlie needed to make up for all of the rest he'd gotten over the last few days with constant activity.
Helping Mom while home sick
First Milkshake as a reward for being such a trouper at the Doctor
Back in dancing form
You're in my spot!
So lonely...
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Poor Baby
Yesterday afternoon Charlie's daycare called at 1:49 PM. He had just woken up from nap with a 103 degree fever and had the shivers. As I hadn't yet squeezed in my shower, but had run 5 miles over lunch, I knew a shower was not optional. I immediately IM'd Jason to see if he could get Charlie a 2:30 appointment at the pediatrician and ran up to the shower.
Twenty minutes later, I was de-stinked, in the car eating a granola bar for lunch, and en route to daycare then on to Sweetgrass Pediatrics to make our 2:30 appointment. It is such an amazing blessing to live so close to daycare and the pediatrician and to have flexibility at work -- not to mention a husband who doesn't mind acting as an administrative assistant from time to time.
For the first time ever, I didn't peek through the picture window before walking into Charlie's classroom, and I was completely unprepared for the sight that met me when I opened the door. Miss Brenda was sitting on the floor, and Charlie was lying limp in her arms. Obviously, in the back of my head I knew that he was fine -- she wouldn't be sitting there calmly if he wasn't, but my immediate reaction was sheer panic. When I walked over, she just quietly shook her head, clearly as unhappy about Charlie's condition as I was. This just was not my Charlie. But Miss Amanda did assure me that every once in a while he would open his eyes and smile at them. That definitely made me feel better.
Charlie peered up at me blankly when I picked him up and just snuggled into my shoulder. I was so grateful that we had an immediate doctor appointment. During the short walk to the car, my fears started to get a bit out of control. What if his ear infection had gotten terribly worse? What if it was the start of some horrible disease? What if he was never going to feel better? But he cheered me up a bit when he asked about Otis and smiled at a truck driving by.
At the doctor's office, they checked Charlie's ears, which were healed and tested him for the flu, and he fell asleep waiting for the results, which were negative. Basically, he has a virus and that's all they can tell me. I need to keep him hydrated and watch his fever. If it isn't significantly lower by Friday I should return. That's it.
Charlie did show interest in the school buses on the ride home and asked again about "Dogo"...so there were sparks there of himself, but that's about it. At home he actually sat down with me and watched part of Toy Story -- completely amazed that Woody could be in the chair with us and on the TV at the same time -- until he fell asleep in my arms. The selfish part of me definitely enjoyed the cuddle time with my baby, but the heat emanating from his body took away much of the pleasure, along with his obvious discomfort when he woke up.
For the past 16 hours Charlie has survived on popsicles, frozen blueberries, grapes and cheese, along with random stretches of sleep. It's killing Jason to be at work, rather than hear to watch him like a hawk, and at this point I'm just trying to help us both recover from a long, hot night and chase the crazy meningitis, terminal illness thoughts from my head.
I am so thankful that Charlie hasn't been sick much -- I'm not sure I'm strong enough to handle it!
Twenty minutes later, I was de-stinked, in the car eating a granola bar for lunch, and en route to daycare then on to Sweetgrass Pediatrics to make our 2:30 appointment. It is such an amazing blessing to live so close to daycare and the pediatrician and to have flexibility at work -- not to mention a husband who doesn't mind acting as an administrative assistant from time to time.
For the first time ever, I didn't peek through the picture window before walking into Charlie's classroom, and I was completely unprepared for the sight that met me when I opened the door. Miss Brenda was sitting on the floor, and Charlie was lying limp in her arms. Obviously, in the back of my head I knew that he was fine -- she wouldn't be sitting there calmly if he wasn't, but my immediate reaction was sheer panic. When I walked over, she just quietly shook her head, clearly as unhappy about Charlie's condition as I was. This just was not my Charlie. But Miss Amanda did assure me that every once in a while he would open his eyes and smile at them. That definitely made me feel better.
Charlie peered up at me blankly when I picked him up and just snuggled into my shoulder. I was so grateful that we had an immediate doctor appointment. During the short walk to the car, my fears started to get a bit out of control. What if his ear infection had gotten terribly worse? What if it was the start of some horrible disease? What if he was never going to feel better? But he cheered me up a bit when he asked about Otis and smiled at a truck driving by.
At the doctor's office, they checked Charlie's ears, which were healed and tested him for the flu, and he fell asleep waiting for the results, which were negative. Basically, he has a virus and that's all they can tell me. I need to keep him hydrated and watch his fever. If it isn't significantly lower by Friday I should return. That's it.
Charlie did show interest in the school buses on the ride home and asked again about "Dogo"...so there were sparks there of himself, but that's about it. At home he actually sat down with me and watched part of Toy Story -- completely amazed that Woody could be in the chair with us and on the TV at the same time -- until he fell asleep in my arms. The selfish part of me definitely enjoyed the cuddle time with my baby, but the heat emanating from his body took away much of the pleasure, along with his obvious discomfort when he woke up.
For the past 16 hours Charlie has survived on popsicles, frozen blueberries, grapes and cheese, along with random stretches of sleep. It's killing Jason to be at work, rather than hear to watch him like a hawk, and at this point I'm just trying to help us both recover from a long, hot night and chase the crazy meningitis, terminal illness thoughts from my head.
I am so thankful that Charlie hasn't been sick much -- I'm not sure I'm strong enough to handle it!
Zonked again...
Daddy is much more comfortable than my crib
Poor baby
Monday, September 20, 2010
Let's Hug it Out...
Charlie appears to be getting cuddlier by the day and also may or may not be discovering the relationship between cause and effect.
As I've mentioned before, Charlie is slowly starting to enjoy hugs and cuddles and kisses...and will even sit in our laps for multiple minutes at a stretch to read books or do puzzles. He still wiggles and squirms a lot, but it's a start. In fact, he's even putting his new found appreciation for hugs to another purpose.
As all parents do, Jason and I have been working on manners with Charlie. Currently we're working on saying please, thank you and I'm sorry, and keeping our feet of the dinner table and covering our mouth when we cough.
Charlie absolutely loves "please" because in his world it truly is the magic word. It is very rare for Charlie to invoke "please" and not get his hearts desire, whether it be a banana, mom or dad to sit on the floor or just about anything else. And while I'd like to claim that this is intentional on our part, to make sure he understands the value of the word and it's impact, blah, blah, blah...in reality, he's just so stinking cute when he throws his chin in the air, grins and shouts, "peeeeeze", that we can't resist.
Thank you is coming along, but not nearly as well...he's just not as motivated to perform on demand when he already has what he wants.
I'm sorry is the latest project. While the days of purposely hitting, biting, scratching and pinching seem to have passed with the launch of Charlie's vocabulary, he is still a rough and tumble little boy and can inflict fairly serious pain when he runs into you at full speed, so we're trying to get him to understand that sometimes he hurts us and to apologize. Our efforts seemed fairly ineffectual until yesterday morning.
We were all playing on the floor when somehow or other Charlie's arm smacked me in the nose. I told him that that hurt, and he got a very concerned look on his face, looked at me and said, "Mommy, hug", then proceeded to very carefully snuggle me. It was hilarious! My only guess is that it is founded in both our attempts to get him to apologize and my habit of kissing his "owies" when he discovers them, which he thoroughly enjoys.
Fortunately for us, it wasn't a one-time thing, but continued through this morning. Each time an "ouch" has come out of Jason's or my mouth, Charlie has quietly said "hug" and snuggled us. Otis, I'm afraid, doesn't find it nearly as adorable. While hugging-out a bonk this morning, Charlie spotted Otis laying on the couch behind me and whacked him pretty hard. Otis jumped off the couch and slinked across the room glaring at me...with Charlie close behind saying "Dog-o, hug" over and over again. I laughed so hard, Jason had to come downstairs and see what was going on!
I guess the next step is to teach Charlie that as much as people appreciate receiving apologies, it's really not a good idea to hurt them just to give yourself a reason to do so...
Mulling over this morning's adventure, I knew that I remembered a time when Otis was actually more interested in Charlie than vice versa, and I have proof!
As I've mentioned before, Charlie is slowly starting to enjoy hugs and cuddles and kisses...and will even sit in our laps for multiple minutes at a stretch to read books or do puzzles. He still wiggles and squirms a lot, but it's a start. In fact, he's even putting his new found appreciation for hugs to another purpose.
As all parents do, Jason and I have been working on manners with Charlie. Currently we're working on saying please, thank you and I'm sorry, and keeping our feet of the dinner table and covering our mouth when we cough.
Charlie absolutely loves "please" because in his world it truly is the magic word. It is very rare for Charlie to invoke "please" and not get his hearts desire, whether it be a banana, mom or dad to sit on the floor or just about anything else. And while I'd like to claim that this is intentional on our part, to make sure he understands the value of the word and it's impact, blah, blah, blah...in reality, he's just so stinking cute when he throws his chin in the air, grins and shouts, "peeeeeze", that we can't resist.
Thank you is coming along, but not nearly as well...he's just not as motivated to perform on demand when he already has what he wants.
I'm sorry is the latest project. While the days of purposely hitting, biting, scratching and pinching seem to have passed with the launch of Charlie's vocabulary, he is still a rough and tumble little boy and can inflict fairly serious pain when he runs into you at full speed, so we're trying to get him to understand that sometimes he hurts us and to apologize. Our efforts seemed fairly ineffectual until yesterday morning.
We were all playing on the floor when somehow or other Charlie's arm smacked me in the nose. I told him that that hurt, and he got a very concerned look on his face, looked at me and said, "Mommy, hug", then proceeded to very carefully snuggle me. It was hilarious! My only guess is that it is founded in both our attempts to get him to apologize and my habit of kissing his "owies" when he discovers them, which he thoroughly enjoys.
Fortunately for us, it wasn't a one-time thing, but continued through this morning. Each time an "ouch" has come out of Jason's or my mouth, Charlie has quietly said "hug" and snuggled us. Otis, I'm afraid, doesn't find it nearly as adorable. While hugging-out a bonk this morning, Charlie spotted Otis laying on the couch behind me and whacked him pretty hard. Otis jumped off the couch and slinked across the room glaring at me...with Charlie close behind saying "Dog-o, hug" over and over again. I laughed so hard, Jason had to come downstairs and see what was going on!
I guess the next step is to teach Charlie that as much as people appreciate receiving apologies, it's really not a good idea to hurt them just to give yourself a reason to do so...
Mulling over this morning's adventure, I knew that I remembered a time when Otis was actually more interested in Charlie than vice versa, and I have proof!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Doctor, Doctor
Flashback 2 years, up to 18 months ago and the monthly, then biweekly, then weekly doctor appointments were great! Other than watching the weights on the scale slide waaaay too far to the right and that one chocolate milkshake lecture, everything about it was fun. My blood pressure was always remarkably low, making me feel like I'd accomplished something -- though heaven only knows how I thought I could take credit for that -- and hearing the heartbeat was like having an early conversation with my little miracle. Each time, as soon as I got to the car I would call Jason and Mom to recap the wonderful experience. The anticipation and excitement of these visits were some of the highlights of my pregnancy.
Fast forward to yesterday and the sole explanation I have is the fact that my only visits to the doctor since Charlie was born were at 6 weeks, when all the doctors and nurses oohed and aahed over my precious little man, and at 6 months when everyone complimented me on no longer tipping the scales at 170+! I guess all of these positive memories kind of bled into yesterday...then of course, I got there.
While I am still a big fan of Carolina Women's Care, the nurses weren't nearly as excited to see me (nor did they remember me as well), since I wasn't expecting. Not to go into details, but there certainly was nothing as pleasant in store as hearing a brand new heartbeat. Though, I have to admit that I did call Mom from the car to celebrate weighing in left of 140 (fully clothed and with a full bladder I might add!). Otherwise, yeah, it was just the same old annual visit I've dreaded since I was 13...
Now, all of that said, the afternoon and evening were much more fun than 18 to 24 months ago. Rather than spending an exhausted evening punctuated only by regular attempts to heave myself out of the recliner and race-waddle to the powder room to rid myself of the latest 16 oz of water I had forced myself to drink, I enjoyed a yogurt snack and coloring with Charlie, along with with a hot bath and a glass of wine with Jason... All in all, I have to say that a fabulous evening does outweigh a fabulous doctor visit.
It's great for the complexion...
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Truck!!!!!!
Is it abnormal for a 33 year old to drive down the road and shout out "truck" when she sees a log truck ...if she's the only one in the car?
Charlie is absolutely obsessed with transportation -- airplanes, trucks, buses, boats, trains, motorcycles... You name it and he loves them all. Our rides to and from school and church have turned into a quest to find every such vehicle in Summerville and shout it's name, and once he's spotted one, he immediately demands more.
The crazy part is that I find myself playing when I'm alone in the car. Yesterday I was on my way into town and saw two back-to-back school buses in my rearview mirror and I was overjoyed...then I remembered that Charlie wasn't with me and felt a bit foolish, but I'm wondering if overjoyed was actually the appropriate response after all. Trucks and buses and airplanes really are pretty neat.
In fact, Charlie has reintroduced me to all kinds of excitement lately. He can hear the geese coming about 20 seconds before they actually appear above the trees and he starts shouting and staring into the sky. Then as they clear the treetops and glide down for a landing on the pond, he shouts and claps, and to be honest -- a gaggle of geese flying in and landing in your backyard is pretty cool.
And, while Jason and I have been married 6 1/2 years, I admit that it is still pretty exciting to hear his truck rev up the driveway after a long day. Now, alone I probably wouldn't race to the back door and start pounding on the glass, but it sure is fun to watch Charlie do it -- and to see Jason's face when he witnesses the joy he brings. When Otis gets in on the act you'd think it was Christmas morning around here, not Monday night.
And no one can really deny the fact that the weightless whoosh you feel when pushed high on the swing deserves a "whoa!" and a giggle, followed by a "whee" on the upward arc. It's as close to flying as we'll get in this lifetime.
While I can't see myself cuddling a banana all the way home from Publix anytime soon, and I hope to break Charlie of the joy he finds in ripping a bubble mower out of the hands of another little boy and then shouting "whee" as he pushes it away, I am definitely finding much more excitement and joy and thrill in life than I have for years. I suppose this is just one of the first in a long list of things I'll learn from my baby.
Charlie is absolutely obsessed with transportation -- airplanes, trucks, buses, boats, trains, motorcycles... You name it and he loves them all. Our rides to and from school and church have turned into a quest to find every such vehicle in Summerville and shout it's name, and once he's spotted one, he immediately demands more.
The crazy part is that I find myself playing when I'm alone in the car. Yesterday I was on my way into town and saw two back-to-back school buses in my rearview mirror and I was overjoyed...then I remembered that Charlie wasn't with me and felt a bit foolish, but I'm wondering if overjoyed was actually the appropriate response after all. Trucks and buses and airplanes really are pretty neat.
In fact, Charlie has reintroduced me to all kinds of excitement lately. He can hear the geese coming about 20 seconds before they actually appear above the trees and he starts shouting and staring into the sky. Then as they clear the treetops and glide down for a landing on the pond, he shouts and claps, and to be honest -- a gaggle of geese flying in and landing in your backyard is pretty cool.
And no one can really deny the fact that the weightless whoosh you feel when pushed high on the swing deserves a "whoa!" and a giggle, followed by a "whee" on the upward arc. It's as close to flying as we'll get in this lifetime.
While I can't see myself cuddling a banana all the way home from Publix anytime soon, and I hope to break Charlie of the joy he finds in ripping a bubble mower out of the hands of another little boy and then shouting "whee" as he pushes it away, I am definitely finding much more excitement and joy and thrill in life than I have for years. I suppose this is just one of the first in a long list of things I'll learn from my baby.
Wheee!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Priority Shift
Two weeks ago, on August 25, Jason and I celebrated 10 years of being together...or rather, we should have, we even talked about it ahead of time, but we both forgot! I actually realized it the next day when I glanced at my phone on the way in to daycare and saw the date...the extent of our celebration? A text message notifying Jason that we were both slackers.
Now for many couples that might not be so unusual, but I am a birthday/anniversary fanatic. I just love the chance to celebrate wonderful things like the lives of people I love and relationships with them. I vividly remember being disappointed 9 years and 5 months ago when Jason felt no need to commemorate our 7 month dating anniversary...obviously things have changed a bit.
Fast forward to last night when the stars seemed to align for an infinitely more important celebration. Bible Study was cancelled, nothing was defrosted, Wasabi had an early bird special...ta-dah: dinner out! Moments after Jason agreed to taking Charlie and I on a family date, I realized that today was going to be Charlie's 18 month birthday! Now there is a reason to celebrate!
Granted, had Jason never manipulated me into asking him out 10 years ago by telling me that he had no plans on a Friday night (whatever!) when my closest friends happened to all be at a produce conference in Colorado (vastly different career path at the time), and had I not charmed him with my glasses (which he still mourns the loss of to lasic, by the way) and my fabulous rendition of Jesse's Girl, there would have been no Charlie to celebrate.
But, what could be more fun than an 18 month old at a Japanese Steakhouse? Absolutely nothing. I highly recommend that anyone with a toddler take them tonight -- it's just too much fun to miss!
And now, for the quarterly Charlie update. We're 18 months into this adventure and it is truly getting better every day. I know I've said this before, but 18 months is by far my favorite age. He is just so crazy much fun right now!
As of 9/09/10:
- Knows that B says "bu"
And now, for the quarterly Charlie update. We're 18 months into this adventure and it is truly getting better every day. I know I've said this before, but 18 months is by far my favorite age. He is just so crazy much fun right now!
As of 9/09/10:
- Weight - 26 lbs 12 oz (50th percentile)
- Length - 32 inches (50th percentile)
- Head - 49 cm (90th percentile!!)
- Doctor's comment at 18 month appointment: Double Ear Infection! We had no idea. Charlie hasn't fussed or rubbed his ears at all, but now he's on his first round ever of amoxicillin...he loves the medicine, but the ear infection makes me nervous...
- Teeth - Still 4 bottom, 4 top, and still gnawing on things right and left, so likely more to come
- Hair - Very blonde after a summer in the sun, but showing signs of darkening up by the roots
- Birthmarks - Stork bites are no longer visible; second birthmark near the potato-shaped birthmark on left shin and freckles high above his right eye and on each cheek
- Naps - 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours after lunch every day at school and a little bit earlier on weekends
- Bedtime - 7:00 to 7:30
- Waketime - 6:45 to 7:00
- Favorite Foods - Almost anything! Bananas, meatballs, shrimp (as of last night), steak, pasta, yogurt...
- Favorite Song - Toes by the Zac Brown Band, Itsy Bitsy Spider and Daisy Sour Cream Jingle
- Favorite Dance - His own private dances that he breaks into during commercials...particuarly Daisy Sour Cream, J. Garris Interiors and Big Lots
- Favorite Toys - Silverware, cups, books and puzzles
- Favorite Game - Feeding the fish, peek-a-boo, pouring water out of his water table
- Interests - Trucks, dogs, books, water, outdoors, shoes
- Recent milestones -
- Knows that B says "bu"
- Talking constantly and even having some basic conversations
- Imminent milestones
- Best Friends - Bob and still Otis (begrudgingly) and Wa-Wally
- Hero - Da-da
- Personality - definitely holding to his original traits...just exaggerated with time
- Active - If I didn't know better I would think he'd forgotten how to walk...all he does is run
- Curious - He absolutely loves to learn so far. Whenever I see him at school, he is intently listening to the teacher read or show colors or whatever the circle time activity is for the day, and he loves to ask what things are, repeat it, see them and figure out how they work.
- Joyful - Charlie wakes up smiling, laughs and jokes around all day. The best moment of each day is when I get to daycare and peer through the picture window. As soon as he sees me, he kicks his little legs, swings his little arms and laughs...no mom could ask for more.
- Loving - He is finally starting to cuddle some. He is very free with hugs and kisses now, and Jason's favorite part of the day is when Charlie comes in and wakes him up each morning with a hug and cuddles for a few minutes in bed. Plus, his newfound love of reading makes sure that we get lots of time with him in our laps.
- Independent - No doubt, he can do it himself, but he will still ask for help when he needs it or gets frustrated. It's so much fun.
- Tidy - He is amazingly good at picking up toys and is a bit over-concerned with washing his hands or having me clean them when he's eating...hopefully this doesn't become a problem.
- Fabulous! - What can I say? He's just more fun than I ever dreamed!
All duded up for the night out
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Chatty Charlie
My goodness! I've always been a talker and Jason isn't exactly the "strong, silent type," but Charlie is giving us both a run for our money. We've definitely noticed his vocabulary growing beyond "moh," "Mama," "Dada," and "Dogo" over the past few weeks, but it absolutely exploded this weekend.
While Jason floated down the might MO with 3 of his best friends (or Tom Sawyer and the Three Stooges, as Kelley put it), Charlie and I spent a fabulous Mommy-Charlie weekend here at home, filled with picnics, pancakes, swings, walks, books, church, feeding the fish and lots and lots and lots of talking.
Early Saturday morning I realized that I hadn't documented his vocabulary in quite a long time (since the 3 to 4 word stage), so I thought it would be neat to start a list of his words, thinking that I would end up with 20 or so new entries. To put it mildly, I was absolutely blown away by how many words Charlie used over the next few hours -- and when I say "used", I mean accurately and appropriately. My baby is verbal and can actually carry on a short conversation in which he answers questions about how he likes something or what he wants to do/have.
Undeterred, I continued tracking throughout the weekend and came up with a list of over 90 words or phrases! And yes, being a ridiculously doting mother, I am going to list them all...and while I cannot deny my obsessive, organizational impulses to list them alphabetically by category and part of speech, I will start with some of the phrases and responses that are the most amusing for any readers who aren't quite as passionate about Charlie's vocabulary as I am... Interestingly enough, a crash course in Charlese probably sums up Charlie's interests, activities and passions better than anything I could ever come up with!
Phrases/Responses
Nouns
While Jason floated down the might MO with 3 of his best friends (or Tom Sawyer and the Three Stooges, as Kelley put it), Charlie and I spent a fabulous Mommy-Charlie weekend here at home, filled with picnics, pancakes, swings, walks, books, church, feeding the fish and lots and lots and lots of talking.
Early Saturday morning I realized that I hadn't documented his vocabulary in quite a long time (since the 3 to 4 word stage), so I thought it would be neat to start a list of his words, thinking that I would end up with 20 or so new entries. To put it mildly, I was absolutely blown away by how many words Charlie used over the next few hours -- and when I say "used", I mean accurately and appropriately. My baby is verbal and can actually carry on a short conversation in which he answers questions about how he likes something or what he wants to do/have.
Undeterred, I continued tracking throughout the weekend and came up with a list of over 90 words or phrases! And yes, being a ridiculously doting mother, I am going to list them all...and while I cannot deny my obsessive, organizational impulses to list them alphabetically by category and part of speech, I will start with some of the phrases and responses that are the most amusing for any readers who aren't quite as passionate about Charlie's vocabulary as I am... Interestingly enough, a crash course in Charlese probably sums up Charlie's interests, activities and passions better than anything I could ever come up with!
Phrases/Responses
- Ah-go (all gone)
- Amen (shouted upon hearing the phrase "in Jesus' name...")
- Bah-bye (bye-bye)
- BeeBee (yes, please -- repeated, but not used on his own yet)
- Daaazy (daisy -- sung to the tune of the Daisy sour cream jingle, (Daisy, do a dollop of Daisy, do-do a dollop...))
- Deedee (give me -- repeated incessantly when he sees something he wants and you can't figure out what it is)
- Ehmay (help me)
- Hah (hi -- typically used with right hand thrown up in the cool-guy wave)
- Hi (hi -- typically used to get your attention when there is a great "meh" to see)
- Hok-hok (honk-honk -- used while squeezing his own or someone else's nose)
- Noh? (I don't know -- response to where'd it go?, complete with hands out to sides, palms up)
- Moh (more -- very favorite word; used in combination with sign language for emphasis at times)
- Nye-nye (night-night -- generally muttered into pillow as he nestles in after prayers)
- Nuh-moh (no more -- somewhat interchangable with "ah-go")
- No (no -- preferred use "no-no" while shaking his finger at something he's not allowed to do)
- Ohhh nooo (typically follows dropping something on the floor or knocking over a stack of something; more dramatic than our perennial favorite "uh-oh")
- Uh yeah (slowly replacing "yeh" as preferred affirmative response")
- Peez (please)
- Boopie (I'm poopy -- used while pointing at diaper and waving other arm back and forth, whether really poopy or not; always followed by giggles)
- Uh-oh (favorite thing to say upon dropping or throwing just about anything)
- Wheee! (primarily used while swinging or going over the railroad tracks)
- Go? (where'd it go -- used after hiding something behind his back or under a pillow)
- Whoa! (typically used after falling down, almost falling down or any another awe-inspiring moment)
- Dya (yeah)
Nouns
- People: Mannah (Amanda - teacher); Byebee (baby); Bahbuh (Bob); Dada (Daddy); Dogo (Otis); Nonna (Donna); Jo-Jo (Joanna - teacher); Mama (Mommy); Mimi (Mimi - Baby Einstein); Wa-Wally (Wally)
- Places: hommmme (home); owdye (outside and inside); uhp (up and down)
- Food: nah-nuh (banana); bebe (blueberry); sheez (cheese); kaka (coffee); kuhkuh (cookie); kakha (cracker); gate (grape); jew (juice); mel (milk); moleymoley (guacamole); possa (pasta); peese (peas); peesa (pizza); wah-wah (water); gogrr (yogurt)
- Eating accessories: bawk (fork); nye (knife); pate (plate); boon (spoon)
- Animals: bood (bird); dyedye (dog); duh (duck); feese (fish); gee (geese); kihee (kitty); shawk (shark)
- Modes of transportation: ehermeh (airplane); boe (boat); caw (car); tuck (truck)
- Body parts: ahm (arm); awbye (owie); eah (ear); eye (eye); behbuh (belly button); han (hand); moh (mole); heh (neck); noh-noh (nose)
- Clothing: haht (hat); hock (sock); hoo (shoe)
- Favorite things: baah (bag); baybee (blankie); booh (book); deese (keys); may (mail); meh (mess); moo (moon); hone (phone); staw (star)
- Gooh (good -- typically in reference to food)
- Hot (hot -- in reference to EVERYTHING!)
- Wet (wet -- best to use when splashing something all over something else)
- Eeeh (eat)
- Ugh (hug)
- Huht (hurt -- the absolute worst word you can hear from him)
- Peefing (sleeping)
- Feen (swing)
- Wok (walk)
Dada! Ehermeh, go? Bah-bye.
Whoooaa! Tuck!
Wheee! Feen!
Mama, ugh!
Wok, Dogo.
Moleymoley! Moleymoley!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Another Roller Coaster
Five years ago this week Jason and I lost our first baby. That may seem like something of a stretch since we only knew we were pregnant for three days, but as anyone who has expected a child can tell you, it is possible to fall head over heels in love and change all of your dreams and plans for the future in three minutes, much less three days.
The loss was more painful and bitter than anything I had ever experienced before or have since. I felt completely broken. My silly pride convinced me that I had to move on with my chin up -- after all, it truly seems that most women experience at least on miscarriage, so I would be fine, right?
I tried so hard to be strong that I put up walls between myself and God and myself and Jason. Obviously, I understand that God welcomed me back with open arms -- He is endlessly patient and loving. What still amazes me, though, is that 9 months later when I was finally ready to admit that my hopes were shattered and my feelings of self-worth as a woman were crushed, Jason's arms were also open wide. In fact, they both had been gently holding the pieces until I was ready for help putting them back together.
While the five year anniversary of our loss is part of the reason it's on my mind, to be honest we have fully recovered, and amazingly enough, we were there long before we knew Charlie was on the way. It took months and months of looking at our lives, our marriage, our faith in God and our purpose in life, but Jason and I were actually ready to be a family of two. We were excited about our move to South Carolina and the opportunity to start a business and have adventures. We were content with being childless.
Obviously, Charlie spun everything around, threw it up in the air and made it so much better. He is our constant delight and a living, breathing image of joy. We definitely could have been happy just the two of us, but we are so much happier with Charlie in our lives.
So, why am I dwelling in the past this week if we are so happy with the present? Because we're also thinking about the future, and it scares me.
We actually started "trying" again back in January, and it's now seven months later with nothing to show for it. I'm not sure I want to deal with the roller coaster ride of trying, hoping, nothing, trying, hoping, nothing, etc, etc until finally giving up. (As family on both sides can attest, I am not a fan of roller coasters!)
Or worse yet, to face another loss. I don't think I'd break this time. The experience five years ago taught me that Jason and God will hold me together with all the support and love and strength I need no matter what happens. Plus, we have Charlie now to light up our days...but what if?
I realize that this all sounds ridiculously pessimistic, especially when I am surrounded by pictures of my Charlie throughout my study...but I sometimes just can't imagine that God could possibly choose to heap such amazing blessings on us again.
I wish I could say that I'm content with whatever happens, but I so dearly want Charlie to have a sibling...and to be honest, I find myself daydreaming about a big round belly, that pregnant glow, the excitement of anticipation and the wonder of a brand new baby. And while I struggle with the idea that we could love another child as much as Charlie, all of my friends with multiple children assure me it's not only possible, but assured.
I guess this week I'm just finding myself remembering, loving, hoping and fearing...I guess this week I just need to focus on my faith and my blessings. I survived the Legoland Technic Coaster by squeezing Jason's hand and praying, and afterwards I got to give Charlie a hug and spin him in the air. If it worked then, there's no reason it can't work now.
The loss was more painful and bitter than anything I had ever experienced before or have since. I felt completely broken. My silly pride convinced me that I had to move on with my chin up -- after all, it truly seems that most women experience at least on miscarriage, so I would be fine, right?
I tried so hard to be strong that I put up walls between myself and God and myself and Jason. Obviously, I understand that God welcomed me back with open arms -- He is endlessly patient and loving. What still amazes me, though, is that 9 months later when I was finally ready to admit that my hopes were shattered and my feelings of self-worth as a woman were crushed, Jason's arms were also open wide. In fact, they both had been gently holding the pieces until I was ready for help putting them back together.
While the five year anniversary of our loss is part of the reason it's on my mind, to be honest we have fully recovered, and amazingly enough, we were there long before we knew Charlie was on the way. It took months and months of looking at our lives, our marriage, our faith in God and our purpose in life, but Jason and I were actually ready to be a family of two. We were excited about our move to South Carolina and the opportunity to start a business and have adventures. We were content with being childless.
Obviously, Charlie spun everything around, threw it up in the air and made it so much better. He is our constant delight and a living, breathing image of joy. We definitely could have been happy just the two of us, but we are so much happier with Charlie in our lives.
So, why am I dwelling in the past this week if we are so happy with the present? Because we're also thinking about the future, and it scares me.
We actually started "trying" again back in January, and it's now seven months later with nothing to show for it. I'm not sure I want to deal with the roller coaster ride of trying, hoping, nothing, trying, hoping, nothing, etc, etc until finally giving up. (As family on both sides can attest, I am not a fan of roller coasters!)
Or worse yet, to face another loss. I don't think I'd break this time. The experience five years ago taught me that Jason and God will hold me together with all the support and love and strength I need no matter what happens. Plus, we have Charlie now to light up our days...but what if?
I realize that this all sounds ridiculously pessimistic, especially when I am surrounded by pictures of my Charlie throughout my study...but I sometimes just can't imagine that God could possibly choose to heap such amazing blessings on us again.
I wish I could say that I'm content with whatever happens, but I so dearly want Charlie to have a sibling...and to be honest, I find myself daydreaming about a big round belly, that pregnant glow, the excitement of anticipation and the wonder of a brand new baby. And while I struggle with the idea that we could love another child as much as Charlie, all of my friends with multiple children assure me it's not only possible, but assured.
I guess this week I'm just finding myself remembering, loving, hoping and fearing...I guess this week I just need to focus on my faith and my blessings. I survived the Legoland Technic Coaster by squeezing Jason's hand and praying, and afterwards I got to give Charlie a hug and spin him in the air. If it worked then, there's no reason it can't work now.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Poor Otis...?
It's been a long and trying 18 months, and I think Otis might finally be ready to call it quits. He's had just about enough of us. For a dog that commemorated Charlie's birth by waking us up at 3 AM the morning my water broke and proceeding to vomit all over the our bedroom for the 3 days we were there, he's actually held on pretty long.
I suppose the final straw was his newfound complete and utter lack of freedom, but I do have to say that he brought it on himself. As our neighbors, UPS deliverymen, and various strangers can attest, Otis has had remarkable freedom since we moved to SC. We have no fence and we more or less allow him to wander.
Pre-Charlie I did a fairly good job of ensuring that he stayed on our side of the street, etc -- and to be honest back then there were about half as many houses and a third as much traffic. Since Charlie though, Jason and I have become pretty lax about where Otis goes and how long he's out. This is in part due to laziness, but also out of guilt. His life has changed so much and he just loves to wander...
Well, the good life has officially come to an end for Otis. Apparently a woodland creature of some sort died in the vicinity of our home last week, and Otis has come home reeking of death three times since Friday. There are no words to explain the stench. It takes at least two vigorous shampoos to rid him of the odor, and Jason and I both continue to smell it for hours afterwards...it could prove to be a quite effective diet, though.
Based on Otis' basic dog-instinct of loving anything rancid and disgusting, my refusal to give him more baths than I do Charlie, and Jason's convenient "out of home" job, I am now Otis' shadow.
I let him out in the morning and follow him as he pees on the grill (sorry, Honey...just found out today), ambles down the driveway, pees on the mailbox, meanders around the common area and cuts across to the garage, turns back down the driveway and heads past Bob & Donna's towards the pool. At Garrett and Amanda's yard I pull the plug on the adventure and we head back home.
He's allowed to play in the yard during water table time in the afternoons, but only if I can see him, and if he leaves the immediate vicinity (our yard and Bob & Donna's), he is relegated to watching the fun from behind the french doors.
I do use treats and peanut butter to coerce Otis in, and this morning I let him ride along to drop Charlie off at school, because he came running as soon as I called his name. Unfortunatley, though he doesn't seem to see the upside to these things, and chooses to get his retribution by waking up at 4 AM and scratching, whining, whimpering, etc for about 20 minutes -- then just plopping back down in his bed when I'm fully awake and annoyed.
Any neighbors who might happen upon this blog or who see me stalking Otis in the mornings are probably relieved that we are finally taking responsibility for our "wild" dog, but I feel horrible. I guess the next step will be the electric fence, which will more or less pen Otis in a 20' x 20' area...
The one bright side to all of this is that I've learned that I definitely have the perseverance and patience to shadow Charlie to the ends of the earth come highschool if he misses curfew, drinks alcohol, curses, kisses a girl, skips school, forgets to make his bed, chews tobacco, borrows the car, talks back, leaves his socks on the floor, drinks from the carton or rolls in something dead.
Woe is me...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)