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Introduction
Hey Everyone,
Well I am FINALLY back online. It ended up taking much longer than I had anticipated the get my computer back. Well, let me rephrase that; we got it back on time and instead of working poorly, it wasn’t working at all. Grrrr. Why can’t people test things before they hand them back to you?? Anyway, I felt pathetically lost without my link to the outside world. I would pass by our home office and see that empty space where our hard drive used to sit, and I would have to take a moment. But hopefully now my computer will be a much more reliable beast and therefore I will be a much more reliable correspondent.
So much has happened in the past few weeks. Sam’s been hitting milestone after milestone. Actually, he decided to hit a whole whack of milestones on one day, just for fun. Although he was a master backwards crawler, he never figured out forward momentum until one fateful December 1st. We were putting up our Christmas decorations and I’m guessing the shiny colors were just simply too difficult to resist. So he crawled, clumsily for the first, oh, half hour, and then he was motoring. I thought it would take longer! And when he reached the couch, he pulled up on it and walked along it to the ottoman, as if he’s been doing this for years. And did I mention he has never pulled up on, or walked on anything every before?? We were floored. And now he can’t be stopped. Most of his old toys are passé since they don’t move along with him. He enjoys crawling, but only as a means to arrive at a pull-up destination. He wants to stand ALL of the time. He looks so grown up, walking along the furniture!
And luckily, knock on everything wooden in a ten mile radius, this increase in activity hasn’t meant more sleep interruptions, instead he has been sleeping much better (not any longer mind you, just without wake-ups.). I am attributing this to our purchase of one of those baby bags that has been recommended ad nauseum on the boards on this site. We got the down variety and I love it! If you’ll recall, Sam was waking at night and not going back down because he would wake up and scooch out of his covers. Well, now he scooches and the cozy bag stays in place. And as an added benefit, it makes it much harder for Sam to stand or crawl in his crib, so I think he falls back to sleep quicker if he does awaken as he’s pretty much stuck! I don’t use it for naps, and he is always crawling out of his covers and so, even though he now puts himself to sleep for all of his naps, he crawls around and plays and cries and then I have to go up when he gets quiet and cover him up. If I don’t, his paltry 30 minute naps turn into 15 minute “mom I’m cold” naps. He still cries or fusses every time I put him down – for less than a minute, but he never falls to sleep completely happy. When does that happen? Also, he climbs in his crib and then he can’t get down. Over the monitor I’ll hear him struggling to climb and then cry and fuss and then I’ll hear a thud and a BIG cry. But I let this happen – how else will he learn? Is there any other way?
Sam continues to eat much better, but he’s still not a fabulous eater. He eats most things (as in baby food), but he doesn’t eat very large quantities. And we’re lucky if he drinks 20 ounces a day. I have started to give him biscuits and Cheerios and he can put them in his mouth. He’ll eat a whole Arrowroot at a sitting, that’s his favorite. Should I start giving him foods that we’re eating now?? He’s eating the chunkier baby food well. And I keep reading that you should give him your food minus the spices. Why is that? Shouldn’t they get used to the food tasting the way it’s going to taste?? I’m not talking about hot curry sauce or anything, but why not spaghetti with the oregano and basil and garlic in it??
Because Sam eats like a bird, I was curious to see how big he was. My dr. doesn’t do the whole 9 month appt. thing, and it just didn’t seem like he was growing to me. Well, I brought him into the public health unit to be weighed and he really hasn’t grown in three months. He’s only 17 lbs. 10 ounces and 27 inches long. That’s half a pound and half an inch bigger in three months. Of course I must fret about this! It’s funny, about so many parenting things I have a very laissez faire attitude. I am not at all obsessed about germs, he gets bit by another kid – I figure these things will happen, he tries to eat a dog bone – I take it away but I don’t hose out his mouth or anything like that. But the bare bones necessities – eating, sleeping – those are my obsessions.
And this probably because this is what everyone has an opinion on. For example, I have had several people mention to me that I shouldn’t be warming Sam’s bottles or he’ll never drink milk. OK, he drinks cold water, but he hates cold milk. And he is such a picky drinker anyway, why would I make this task any more difficult? Same with the chunky food – he gets a bit of it, but still mostly purees. This has been met with dire warnings that he will NEVER eat anything with texture. Can I say bull in polite company? But all the same, I go to bed CONVINCED that I am creating a food monster. Then there’s sleeping. I have been told that surely Sam must be sleeping 12 hours a night now. Nah uh, 9-10 every night. But he wakes happy, so I assume that’s OK. And he puts himself down for naps but 99% per cent of the time they are 30 minute naps with the occasional hour stuck in her or there. I have been instructed that I should really do something to get him to sleep more or he’ll have behavioral issues. How exactly does one DO that? I mean, he puts himself to sleep now, on his own cues, how can I make him sleep more? So when it comes to food and sleep, I become a basket case.
Four days later…..
OK it has taken me FOREVER to write this entry. We are having a big Christmas party for 50 people and I’ve been preparing away during those 30 minute naps. Today Doug and I have been cleaning every iota of the house. It is lovely and sparkly – for now!
Anyway, a few days ago Sam had his ultrasound and VCUG to rule out or diagnose reflux. I was petrified for the poor guy. I mean, this would have to be scary. Well, first came the ultrasound and I am not kidding, the child giggled through the whole thing! A dark room with a stranger and machines, and he thought the gel and wand tickled!! Then came the VCUG. I was more nervous than he could ever be, since he didn’t know what was coming. But they gave him this cool toy that completely enthralled him and he didn’t even seem to notice when they strapped his legs together and to a board, and then ran a catheter up him! I was shocked. He did cry during the test when they ran in the dye, but I honestly think it was because they took the toy away, because he was all better as soon as they gave it back. What a trooper! The good news is that he appears to be reflux free. YAY!! So what caused such a bad infection? Well, he apparently has rather small kidneys and will be prone to dehydration for some reason. That is the only side effect of small kidneys, as far as I can tell. Well, when I asked specifically what made him sick, they asked if I was weaning him when he got the infection and I kid you not, they said, “you must have made him dehydrated.” Nothing like placing all of the blame in my lap. How was I to know? I feel bad about that, but I don’t think that comment was necessary!
We are heading out east in a few days, or rather Sam and I are. Doug doesn’t follow for a few days as he is working. I am very nervous about a four hour flight with a VERY squirmy, VERY active 9 month old. I mean, he can’t sit still for two minutes. An hour and a half after take off is his bedtime, so he’ll be traveling in his PJs and I really hope he falls asleep on time. Any suggestions on how to entertain him on the flight? It was so much easier with a 3 month old, he couldn’t go anywhere!
Well, this is more than long – and rambling – enough! Have a good week everyone.
Jenn and Sam
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