Lows
Migraine last night...
So So tired...
Bella has a ruptured anal gland?!? Had to take her to the vet $150
Alex seems to be getting his 2nd tooth and is very cranky :(
Anxious about lay-offs
Alex has his 4th cold with a nasty cough
It seems like when things are low - - - they are really LOW
So So tired...
Bella has a ruptured anal gland?!? Had to take her to the vet $150
Alex seems to be getting his 2nd tooth and is very cranky :(
Anxious about lay-offs
Alex has his 4th cold with a nasty cough
It seems like when things are low - - - they are really LOW
Group Shot - new fun software (free!) to use!
Take this photo with Dad smiling and Alex looking down
And this photo with Dad looking to the side and Alex looking up
And ... Presto chango
A group shot using this software: Group Shot. I saved my picture as low resolution because the high resolution option was taking really long. What a cool tool - now we can always have a picture with everyone smiling. The software was really easy to use - even for me! You select the important places of each photo and it merges into one photo somehow.
First TOOTH!
Alex got his first tooth today! He has been really cranky the past couple of days and needed a dosage of tylenol a couple of times (once they called from daycare and Dad ran over and gave him a quick dose). His lower right center bottom gum area was quite red and hurt-y looking along with the white "spots" that were blotches were now long and narrow - just like you'd expect a tooth. Then yesterday his gums seems to be splitting on the top of the gum and then today we can feel a tooth!
What a rough couple of days - along with 3 shots at his 6 month appointment.
Along with that... Alex is starting to "rock" on his hands and knees. He can get up on his hands but needs help with getting up on his knees. Once there he rocks back and forth with a look in his eyes of "I want to go somewhere!". He then falls on his tummy and goes about playing. He can spin himself around on his tummy 360 degrees! AND scooting backwards a bit.
So many developments in such a short time! How much fun is this?
Alex's 6 month growth stats
6 month height - 28" (93th %)
6 month weight : 16 lbs 7 oz (32th %)
We knew he was tall and BOY - is he TALL!
6 month weight : 16 lbs 7 oz (32th %)
First pair of shoes
We bought these new shoes this weekend since it's getting cold out, he will also need them at daycare (slippery floors) when he starts walking, and I felt like it. They are size Medium (size 3) and are BIG now - but, he'll grow into them. They keep the socks on his feet and have bottoms made of non-slip suede. His Dad picked out the football theme. The brand is Bobux.
We put them to use this weekend on a hike at Redmond Watershed Preserve and they kept his little toes nice and toasty.
We like them a lot!
We like them a lot!
Six Months!
What a handsome boy!3 colds and a fever
Alex has had 3 colds in about 4 weeks. I try to make myself feel better about this by thinking about the Hygiene hypothesis. It basically says that the more your kid gets sick the less likely they will be to get allergies and other immune system disorders later in life.
The colds have only involved lots of snot. He sneezed and snot comes out of both nostrils and then he can breath again. On the bad nights he can't sleep because it seems like when he drifts into a deeper sleep he forgets to breath out of his mouth and wakes up crying and scared. He often is very noisy and snores on nights with a bad cold.
He had one fever on a Thursday afternoon at daycare and by the time he got home it was 102.3 degrees. He was very lethargic and went to bed at 6:30. He woke up a couple of times that night, but mostly slept until 7 am the next morning and the fever broke. He was his old kickin' self - so, he went into daycare a little late. But, was happy all day.
The colds have only involved lots of snot. He sneezed and snot comes out of both nostrils and then he can breath again. On the bad nights he can't sleep because it seems like when he drifts into a deeper sleep he forgets to breath out of his mouth and wakes up crying and scared. He often is very noisy and snores on nights with a bad cold.
He had one fever on a Thursday afternoon at daycare and by the time he got home it was 102.3 degrees. He was very lethargic and went to bed at 6:30. He woke up a couple of times that night, but mostly slept until 7 am the next morning and the fever broke. He was his old kickin' self - so, he went into daycare a little late. But, was happy all day.
Nicknames
Although we try to call them by their "real" names... it's just too difficult. Here are some of the fun names we call our babes, so if you hear it - you'll know who were talking about.
Here are the nicknames we call Alex:
Spunk (Lance originally came up with this in the hospital)
Spunk-man
Spunky
Spunk-a-saurus Rex (after a cute "sleep-a-saurus" nightie we bought)
Punky (shortened version of Spunky)
Little man (every one says this about him "he looks like a little man"
People at daycare call him "the flirt"
Man-ster
Lil' Man-ster
Super Spunk
Along with the nicknames we already call our dogs Bella and Rock:
Bells
Smells
Smella
Smella-girl
Bella-girl
Rock-boy
Snots (from my favorite movie "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation")
Snot-a-saurus Rex
Snot-boy
Which has spawned the EVEN MORE new combonations:
Spunk-Bella/s
Spunk-Rock/snots
FUNNY!
Here are the nicknames we call Alex:
Spunk (Lance originally came up with this in the hospital)
Spunk-man
Spunky
Spunk-a-saurus Rex (after a cute "sleep-a-saurus" nightie we bought)
Punky (shortened version of Spunky)
Little man (every one says this about him "he looks like a little man"
People at daycare call him "the flirt"
Man-ster
Lil' Man-ster
Super Spunk
Along with the nicknames we already call our dogs Bella and Rock:
Bells
Smells
Smella
Smella-girl
Bella-girl
Rock-boy
Snots (from my favorite movie "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation")
Snot-a-saurus Rex
Snot-boy
Which has spawned the EVEN MORE new combonations:
Spunk-Bella/s
Spunk-Rock/snots
FUNNY!
6 months old today
Dear Alex,
What a wonderful day today - 6 mo old! I can't believe it! Thinking back to the day you were born and all of the adventures we've had. You were so small with tiny little long fingers and wonderfully long eyelashes, even back then. Actually, I remember watching your eyelashes grow. You weren't born with SUCH long lashes, they grew in in the first weeks and since I was studying you all day (every day) I could see such small changes. You were so quiet back then... just sleeping and eating. All that eating sure helped you gain weight. You used to not have very many cheeks (face cheeks and butt cheeks). Now you have a very round bottom thanks to your Mama's wonderful milk. You went from 5 lbs 2 oz to ~16 1/2 lbs of the course of 6 months.
You hit your crying stages around 2 months old and your Mama and Daddy thought that it would never end. I remember how difficult it was with Mastitis and Thrush and now that seems like a distant memory. I'm so glad that I stuck with Breastfeeding - it is working out quite well, now. I remember thinking and understanding why some people give up. It was tough - but, we got through it together.
Then around 3-4 mo old - you "woke up" and started interacting and playing with me more and more. We had such fun days. It was summer time and we got out and met new friends. We went in the stroller around the neighborhood and you loved to look around.
Now it is September and the weather is turning into Fall. You are such an active boy! We love how you are so active and always wanting to do things.
I'm back to work and although things are busy - we are making it all work. Although, our choices on how we spend our time are much different than before you were born. (hard to understand what we did with our time before???)
Well - happy half birthday - my love! You are our sunshine!
Love,
Your Mama & Daddy
sleeping is for chumps
Alex has had a hard time sleeping lately...unless it involves sleeping on his Daddy! He fell asleep 3 times yesterday on Lance and he enjoyed every minute of it! His theory is that Alex liked the 49ers fleece he was wearing because it was so soft and cuddly. It is so soft and cuddly because Lance wears it every weekend during football season.
Alex also likes his lovey (aka woobie). Its a little dog that we bought at wallybug (we bought two - one for daycare and one for home). Alex loves the little thing! He sometimes "sleep-sucks" on the dogs nose or ear. We also rotate the one at daycare so there are some fresh Mom smells to go with him each week.
What a cute sleeper! (when he does sleep!)
Alex also likes his lovey (aka woobie). Its a little dog that we bought at wallybug (we bought two - one for daycare and one for home). Alex loves the little thing! He sometimes "sleep-sucks" on the dogs nose or ear. We also rotate the one at daycare so there are some fresh Mom smells to go with him each week.
What a cute sleeper! (when he does sleep!)Freakishly long eyelashes
Every one comments on my eyelashes when they see me - - -
WOW - what long eyelashes he has!
I got them from my Daddy - he's got long eyelashes too!
WOW - what long eyelashes he has!
I got them from my Daddy - he's got long eyelashes too!wean me gently
Wean Me Gently
by Cathy Cardall
I know I look so big to you,
Maybe I seem too big for the needs I have.
But no matter how big we get,
We still have needs that are important to us.
I know that our relationship is growing and changing,
But I still need you.
I need your warmth and closeness,
Especially at the end of the day
When we snuggle up in bed.
Please don't get too busy for us to nurse.
I know you think I can be patient,
Or find something to take the place of a nursing;
A book, a glass of something,
But nothing can take your place when I need you.
Sometimes just cuddling with you,
Having you near me is enough.
I guess I am growing and becoming independent,
But please be there.
This bond we have is so strong and so important to me,
Please don't break it abruptly.
Wean me gently,
Because I am your mother,
And my heart is tender.
by Cathy Cardall
I know I look so big to you,
Maybe I seem too big for the needs I have.
But no matter how big we get,
We still have needs that are important to us.
I know that our relationship is growing and changing,
But I still need you.
I need your warmth and closeness,
Especially at the end of the day
When we snuggle up in bed.
Please don't get too busy for us to nurse.
I know you think I can be patient,
Or find something to take the place of a nursing;
A book, a glass of something,
But nothing can take your place when I need you.
Sometimes just cuddling with you,
Having you near me is enough.
I guess I am growing and becoming independent,
But please be there.
This bond we have is so strong and so important to me,
Please don't break it abruptly.
Wean me gently,
Because I am your mother,
And my heart is tender.
Last night I cried...
I cried because...
Alex is growing up so fast (you're already almost 6 mo?)
and
time seems to be moving to fast for me (work, home, baby, work, home, baby...)
and
Alex seem to not want to nurse as much (I love our time now! Please don't stop wanting to nurse!)
and
He seems to enjoy the instant gratification of bottles (even though I have used the slowest flow nipple)
and
last night Alex fell asleep without needing to nurse (does he need me anymore?)
and
my test result came back as moderate displaysia (So I will have the LEEP)
and
I miss Lance (when can we have another date?)
and
Alex is doing so many fun things and I just want to freeze time
Alex is growing up so fast (you're already almost 6 mo?)
and
time seems to be moving to fast for me (work, home, baby, work, home, baby...)
and
Alex seem to not want to nurse as much (I love our time now! Please don't stop wanting to nurse!)
and
He seems to enjoy the instant gratification of bottles (even though I have used the slowest flow nipple)
and
last night Alex fell asleep without needing to nurse (does he need me anymore?)
and
my test result came back as moderate displaysia (So I will have the LEEP)
and
I miss Lance (when can we have another date?)
and
Alex is doing so many fun things and I just want to freeze time
Being a Mom
To all of the wonderful moms I know... I think this story is so wonderful. And to any future Moms out there...
We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family."
"We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?
"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."
But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments hesitation.
I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood.
She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.
I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that A child molester may be lurking in that restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.
I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she Will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving. I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.
By Dale Hanson BourkeFrom Everyday Miracles: Holy Moments in a Mother's Day
I know how this feels now - no one can ever explain this to you.
We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family."
"We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?
"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral.
"I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations."
But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.
I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moments hesitation.
I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by motherhood.
She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.
I want my daughter to know that every day decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that A child molester may be lurking in that restroom.
However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.
I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she Will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.
I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving. I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it actually hurts.
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reached across the table, squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings.
By Dale Hanson BourkeFrom Everyday Miracles: Holy Moments in a Mother's Day
I know how this feels now - no one can ever explain this to you.
Busy weekend!
We went to the NICU picnic at Evergreen hospital this Saturday. There were kids of all ages there and it was fun to see how much FUN Alex will have when he can jump around in the inflatable toy and play games and get his face painted. (thanks for the photo Kathy!)
We saw many friends - it's amazing how many new friends we've made this year!
We then went to a wedding in Gig Harbor right on the water. Alex was quite the hit of the party with his big smiles! :)
We then went to a PEPS picnic on Sunday evening. It was so nice to meet the Dads of the babies and Moms I've gotten to know over the past 6 months!
All in all we had a nice full weekend. How did we get the laundry, dishes and everything else done? We don't know .... but, we did it all.
Life
Sometimes life is so hard... Just when I'm getting back to work and putting Alex in daycare... two of the most difficult things I've ever had to do...
bam!
cervical dysplasia
We will wait for the results of the biopsies to see what to do next. I was hoping the extra vitamins and folic acid I've been taking along with the rest and recouperation (before I went back to work) helped by body get rid of HPV. But, it seems like it hasn't.
It makes me appreciate life more and realize that we are all vulnerable. Even me - with my wonderful health in the past many years.
Here is a wonderful picture of Alex being a big boy and holding his own sippy cup. He uses it more for a teething toy right now. Not drinking.
And a picture of his Dad feeding him green beans. What fun - solids! A whole new world!
Alex eats pears!
Today Alex ate pears for the first time and loved it! Grandma Sandy canned these pears especially for Alex. He was reaching for the spoon and opening his mouth. His little tongue did its best to keep the pears in... but, sometimes they didn't stay in! Thanks Mom for the pears!
Alex loves tummy time
When Alex learned to roll over - now tummy time is a totally different experience! Alex can hold himself up on his elbows and grab for toys and bring them to him. One night Alex was sleeping on his side when I went to sleep and when I woke up 5 hours later... he was happily on his tummy. Scared his Mama to death! But, you're just supposed to leave them there. So now about half of the nights I find Alex on his tummy snoozing away.
Today is a great day for a hike
The beach!
Friday we went to the beach and had a great time! Alex stuck his toes in the sand and water and enjoyed watching Lance and Rock play in the water. We saw Kent, Gretchen and Gwen (Alex's 2nd cousin), too! 
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