Four Whole Months

Hmmm....so many choices!

Sister trying to pile on the toys!


I love this picture because it shows how wiggly and smiley he is!!

Well, since his "birthday" was marred by so much drama...here's a happy update post about our favorite boy! He's plugging along nicely in the development department and weighed in over 18lbs yesterday at the doctor! That was about what I had guessed, but part of me is a bit nervous with his rapid weight gain pattern! His official four month check-up is next Monday and since we had plenty of other things to discuss at the doctor yesterday, we didn't cover any of that maintenance stuff. Speaking of yesterday, however, you'll be happy to know that Leo's ear and penis are looking better...I think. I'm pretty sure they are and that it's not my imagination, but I also know that maybe I'm just willing myself to see a difference so I can breathe easier knowing it's not MRSA! We've been washing hands and clothes like mad over hear, and I'm starting to have some cracking around my knuckles...I gotta get some lotion going too apparently!

Leo started rolling over with gusto on Sunday evening. We were actually at some friends' house when he did it so he got an extra loud cheering section! I'm glad to hit this milestone, but it does of course send me over the nervous edge once again. The problem is not so much that he's rolling over, but the fact that he sleeps on his face. He doesn't turn his head or anything, he just sleeps face down into the blanket, mattress, whatever. This freaks me the heck out! At sometime after 3am I rummaged through my house scouring for and plugging in our gigantic room fan. I figured that at least I could keep the air moving if he wasn't going to! I hovered over him for, well let's just say a long time, trying to coerce him back to his back without waking him, because I knew full well that if he awoke, he'd only want to eat. Anyway, it was no such luck, and of course, he woke up and wanted to eat. Major strikeout on my part. I know that I'll get used to the idea of tummy sleeping in time, but until then, I'm not going to be doing much sleeping myself! The other frustrating part is that about 50% of the time, he rolls over, fusses, then I roll him back, only to have him roll over again. He's just not satisfied with either option! I don't get it! Hopefully he'll learn how to go from tummy to back in record time so we can alleviate some of that drama!

He is starting to want to hold his own bottle, but hasn't quite mastered that skill yet. He will hold onto your hand or fingers and move them back and forth, therefore controlling the flow of milk and will grasp at the bottle with his hands, but isn't quite holding it yet. We'll confirm the milk issue with the doctor next week, but I feel pretty confident that is/was the issue. His skin is clearing up, his cradle cap is clearing up, his mucus issue is clearing up...seems pretty obvious, no?? His skin still isn't perfect, and I must admit, I feel sort of cheated out of that baby soft baby that I never got! Maybe we can still make it happen with this soy business and some good lotion! ;)

Leo's favorite toys right now are things that he can sit and watch light up or play music. He will play with things like rattles or chew toys (sounds like a dog??!)but he loves to sit in the swing and watch the light show or sit on the play mat and watch the sunshine light the most! I need some more things like that!

I tried to include a video of him rolling over, which was too cute by the way, because it also included Sophia and Walter, but I can't seem to get it to load. Ever since this new camera the videos haven't been working for me! Maybe it's too big, but it never gives me an error message it just doesn't do anything?? So, if anyone can shoot me a remedy for this it would be greatly appreciated!

When It Rains It Pours

Not in an entirely new stroke of fate is another issue with Leo's health. He is a happy child, thank goodness for that, because between his milk issues, spitting up, gas attacks, diaper rash(okay that was only once but it was really bad!!), and eczema issues he has had quite a dramatic 4 months! Incidentally, for those not keeping track, today is his 4 month birthday and I thought I'd be having a whole different kind of post! But, here's how our day unfolded instead...

Scene 1: Leo's bedroom
I was changing his diaper after another nice long sleep on his part (could this be the beginning of the sleeping through the night?? Let's not jinx it...) when I noticed his penis was quite red and inflamed. I, not having a penis of my own and not exactly sure how to trouble shoot when a problem arises (pun definitely indeded!) with one, became immediately concerned. I called the pediatrician's office right away and explained to the nurse that I would like an appointment, I would not like to be triaged, and although I didn't have a penis, I know when one doesn't look quite right and could I please just see the doctor. Thankfully, she obliged.

Scene 2: The kitchen
Mom had dropped Sophia off from a sleepover last night and as I was holding Leo she remarked on how the back of his ear was a little red. I told her yes, and that he had scratched it a few days before and after we applied some ointment it looked a bit better. She looked at me sort of quizzically which made me investigate his ear a little more...yikes. Tucked way under his ear was a very grody, very gooey patch of flaky skin. Hmmm....good thing I was already going to the doc.

Scene 3: The Doctor's Office
Doctor: what seems to be the problem with Mr. Leo?
Me: Well, his penis is very red (here Sophia interjects with see Dr. Grossman, his penis is red) and swollen. It just happened this morning. Oh, and he has something gross behind his ear.
Doctor: after inspecting the little guy...Hmmm. It looks like maybe he had some eczema behind his ear that turned into an infection. That's pretty common. Maybe it's a little staph infection.
Me: Oh. a sort of quizzical, but satisfied with a diagnosis, but yet still concerned 'oh'
Doctor: have you ever heard of "something medically and Latin sounding"
Me: Ummm, no, I'm not familiar with that.
Doctor: Some people call it MRSA.
Me: WTF???!!! Okay, what I really said was Oh. a definitely much more concerned sounding and no longer satisfied with the diagnosis 'oh'
Doctor: Now, I don't think it's MRSA, probably not, but I can't be sure. There's nothing to culture, so I'm going to give him some antibiotics.
Me: oh.**
Doctor: If these antibiotics don't make things better you'll need to bring him back on Thursday. If they don't make it better, it's MRSA.
Me: Awesome.
Doctor: Don't go home and look up MRSA on the internet. It will just scare you. It might not even be that. Besides, on the internet they only put the worst case scenarios. Just watch him. And bring him back on Thursday if it's not better. (I did not mention that there was no need to look it up because I was already quite familiar with the scary, "worst case scenario" stories to which he referred)
Me: Okay. At this point I was so frazzled that I couldn't think of anything else important to ask. Besides, Leo started fussing as it was just about time for him to eat and Sophia was being, well, Sophia. Plus, it was her lunch time and closing in on her nap time too!
Doctor: Oh, and see those other little spots on his face...those are impetigo. Don't look that up on the internet either. The antibiotics I prescribed will take care of both the staph and the impetigo, so don't worry. (um yeah, me worry?? Please.)

**this is the point at which I also began thinking Oh shit...now I totally have to disinfect my entire house! I have to wash his sheets, his hat, his blanket, the car seat cover, etc. etc. Then I remember...oh wait...when we went to do laundry last night at 10:30, there was an issue with what some people call "standing water" in our basement. Awesome. At least it wasn't sewage! Yes, in fact, I had to reschedule the plumber as he called on our way to the pediatrician's office and he nicely volunteered to come back later. Thank goodness for nice plumbers. So, no, I would not be doing any laundry when I got home as it was darn near impossible.

Scene 4: The Pharmacy
It is now officially past Sophia's lunch time and officially her nap time has begun. On the way to drop of the prescriptions I swing by the refrigerator case and pick up a milk and a Lunchable for Sophia to eat while we wait. I drop of the scripts and have to give all our info again as Leo is a new patient in their system. Then I take Sophia over to the waiting area which is surely germ infested from all the sick patients that have been there before us and attempt to clean off a chair with a baby wipe so that she can use it as a table for her lunch. We wait probably about 20 minutes before the Pharmacist tells me that my total is $137....WTF??? Okay, well I suppose the nastier the infection the steeper the price?? Anyway, I leave, pack up a poopy Sophia because I was not about to haul everyone into the gross Walgreen's bathroom to change her diaper. She proceeds to pass out on the way home, which is good, but now that poop has to say in there even longer, and that is not good.

Scene 5: My kitchen
Sophia was tucked into bed and sleeping soundly. I get out Leo's prescription to start him on it right away, when, what's that I notice??? The label doesn't say the same name as what the doctor told me he was prescribing. Naturally I call Charlie and ask him...no, he says, no in fact that is not the same drug at all.
Me: sonofabitch
Charlie: I'll take care of it. when he speaks in his stern voice, watch out, cuz I know someone's in trouble! ;)
Charlie called the doctor to confirm the prescription and then called and chewed out the pharmacist. He was definitely the right man for that job!

The plumber then called back and said he was on his way over. Okay. BUT...I had one sleeping child, one backed up pipe, one sick baby, and one wrong prescription.
enter Brother...
Thankfully Stacy arrived, stayed with the kids, paid the plumber, and cheerfully changed diapers while I was away getting the new prescription. The pharmacy refunded the old amount and then comped the new amount (which incidentally was the same price). I felt that was the least they could do!!



I am now home, Leo has had his first dose of antibiotics and Sophia happily agreed to watch Wonder Pets as I de-stressed and vented into cyberspace! My day can really only look up from here, right?!

The Good Life

Days like today remind me what a good life we lead. After both Leo and Sophia slept through the night, they joined us in bed. Then my wonderful husband made some coffee and delivered it to me in my semi-slumbered state. The four of us cuddled and hugged and kissed the morning away while watching Saturday morning cartoons from the comfort of our bed. This is the good life indeed.

Play time!

Sophia makes a lot of coffee! This cute coffee maker that came with her kitchen even makes grinding and brewing sounds. Yesterday morning I asked her if she wanted to go get coffee with Bama and me (she loves Starbucks!) and she said very plainly...I have some here, then returned to her coffee maker!
She is way into TV right now. We took some extra lounge time and stayed in jammies and watched Barney!

Sophia also really loves to take pictures (wonder where that came from?!) and this was a picture of her "cookies". She was very insistent she photograph them.

Leo has various balls and things he can hold, shake, and chew...chewing is generally a requirement right now.

He was loving his giraffe yesterday too! He pulled on the toy in the mouth and her antler

He must have it on speaker phone!

Hi mom!

cuties!

standing up like a big boy!

Shelby joined the cheer leading squad!

This is her team mascot and although Sophia looks a bit scared in this picture, she really wasn't. In fact, she wanted to hug and snuggle the eagle all night. After the game, she walked right up to him and put her arms up in the "pick me up" pose. Luckily, the young man inside the eagle was a good sport and was happy to oblige.

It's always play time around our house!! Leo is really starting to play with and enjoy toys. He likes anything he can chew and hold. He also really enjoys the playmat that has colored lights and animals hanging down. He wiggles his way around in a complete circle, and usually falls asleep at some point! He is getting better about tummy time too. Partially it was my fault, I just don't give him tummy time very often. I've been trying to be better though because he's so wiggly that I need him to be as strong as he can be if he rolls over again. He likes to sleep on his side and will sleep like that all night long and for most naps. It's pretty cute and I don't know if he does it because that's what he really likes or because he'd rather be on his tummy he just can't make it all the way over yet! I suppose time will tell!

Sophia's favorite past time is still reading. Right now she is really into those If You Give A ___ books. She had a couple which we read often, but she also got a few more for Christmas, including a stuffed Pig and Mouse from the books, so she was pretty thrilled. If anyone sits at the computer she thinks that it's time for her to climb on you and bring you books, making whatever job your doing at the computer take at least twice as long (which may explain why I've been working on this particular post for 2 hours!!) She also loves anything Richard Scarry right now...Huckle Cat and Lowly are sure to bring her running! Her other favorite toys right now are probably her kitchen and all its accessories as well as the wooden wagon my Aunt Ellyn brought her and her baby stroller. She is also really into just running in circles around our kitchen and living room. She will also exhaust herself by continually jumping off of the stool in the kitchen. She just climbs up and jumps off over and over again. TV favorites include Wonder Pets, which I've mentioned, and Olivia. She also LOVES Barney (God help us) and anything with Kermit. She has a couple of Muppets movies but she only watches a little bit at a time. Not only would I not let her watch the entire thing in one sitting, she's not really at that level yet.

A Future in Television?

Is there really anything to say after that?

Parenting is Hard Work!

Sigh.


Some days being a parent is super fun and other days it just confuses you to death. Here are some things I've been grappling with lately:


Potty training: Up until a few weeks ago, I really didn't care one way or the other about changing Sophia's diapers. Now, I'm ready for her to go on the potty. She, on the other hand, still doesn't care. I'm not too worried about, truly I'm not. In fact, I think the grandmothers are worried enough for me ;) but it can be frustrating. I've heard so many people say that one day their kid just decided enough was enough and they were going to use the potty. I'm still holding out for that day. In the mean time, we go between wanting to use the potty and then flat out refusing. We sit on the potty in our clothes, we want to take our clothes off (sometimes all our clothes must come off for potty time!), we want the potty seat, we don't want the potty seat...the list goes on and on. Sophia very successfully told me she had to poop and she wanted to use the potty. It was like a miracle...she pooped and everyone was happy. Since then, not so much. We're back to refusing. I know she's still on the early side of 2, but lots of people say girls are so much easier and 'should' be potty trained by now. I'm also beginning to feel the crunch of purchasing two sets of diapers...it stinks! (pun intended!) At the end of the day, I'm confident she will potty train and one day she indeed will decide to use the potty, I just wish that day was now!




Sleeping Through the Night: Ugh. As I stated in an earlier post we constantly go back and forth with this issue. Leo slept through the night 5/7 nights last week and now we're back to waking up in the middle of the night. Last night he woke up at 1:45 and then again at 4:20 and took a full bottle both times. There has been a great debate in my house about using cereal in his bottle. At this juncture, I'm against it. Here's why; "they" now say that cereal in the bottle is a bad idea. Even our pediatrician says that. "They" recommend that when you begin cereal it should be off a spoon and not before 4 months. Now I know plenty of people who have used the other method successfully and no baby has choked or had ill effects, but I'm not comfortable with it right now. Secondly, I recently read an article saying that a study was done about this very topic and this particular study concluded that there was no greater sleep gained by babies who used the cereal method. I know it is not uncommon for babies who are not yet 4 months of age to wake during the night, but frankly, I'd like to be beyond it. I think it's especially hard when Sophia was sleeping through the night at 2.5 months. Now, I know we shouldn't compare the children, but it's hard not to, especially when one does something you'd really like the other to do! Additionally, I'm a much nicer and happier person when I get a full night's sleep. I'd like to be that person once again! I can see the light, only to have it dimmed once again! That being said, I'm pretty sure that after our next visit to the Ped. we're going to have to start him on cereal anyway because he's so big and nearing the max-out on his bottle. He goes between 6-7 oz per feeding, and he's less than 4 months! So, I'm sure we're going to have to start supplementing. I was really hoping to push that off for another 2 months, but we'll see!



Soy: I'm happy that we have found an alternative for our little guy but it is also the source of some worry for me. This is going to be the topic of my "crazy mom question" at our next doctor's visit, in fact. I worry that, even though there is only a small amount, the estrogen that is found in soy can have ill effects on Leo's male system. Additionally, I consider that in the future, if this intolerance sticks around and both children are eating more soy based products than the average bear, will it have ill effects on Sophia's female system...cuz, seriously, there are plenty of women out there who can attest to being a crazy woman when their own hormones are out of whack due to pregnancy, birth control, whatever. I just don't know how much research has been done in this area, and admitably, I haven't taken much time to check it out, but it's something that possibly concerns me.




SIDS: We all know I'm neurotic. I feel like I'm a mom who tries not to worry too much about this but has done her research. And I have...I've read lots of articles and websites, and books and magazines, and whatever on this topic, but today I felt a little dumb-founded. I read a new article today in Parents magazine about SIDS and learned that the real problem is not so much that the baby will suffocate on the blanket, lovie, bumper, etc. but that the baby will get too close to said object and have a build up of carbon monoxide, due to lack of air flow, therefore breathing in too much carbon monoxide and dying due to lack of oxygen that way. I truly have never understood that until today. In some ways, this information is good...in other ways it only supplies more fuel to my psychosis...but mostly it's good. Anyway, it was a great article so pick up a Parents if you're interested. Luckily, Leo is slowly moving out of the SIDS danger zone of 2-4 months, but is still at a higher risk until 6 months.



Stimulation/Education: Okay, now I know that this is probably me just over reacting, but this is stuff I think about!! I wonder if I give Leo enough stimulation, movement and "learning moments" since he's the second child. It really is so different because with Sophia I could devote my entire day to these tasks! When Sophia and I read books I often include Leo, but then I think that maybe I shouldn't because I don't want all my time with her to include her brother, so I don't always do it. If he's awake and I start to play with him, Sophia gets involved, which is good, but then sometimes she starts another game or tries to take his toys (yes, that's already starting!) and I get side tracked and may or may not come back to him in a timely fashion. I feel like Sophia has such good language skills and is a pretty social child, I just want to make sure Leo has the same fate, and I often worry that I'm not doing the best I can when it comes to his development. It also comes down to the fact that I need to get Sophia involved in a Mother's Day Out program. I'm not opposed to it as much as I'm just lazy and haven't gotten around to it. I need to make it a priority so that both children will get more stimulation. I will say however, that I AM meeting my goal of making sure he doesn't fall into the second child syndrome when it comes to picture taking! I have lots of pictures of just Leo by himself and him with his parents and other family members...so at least I'm succeeding somewhere! :)



Oral Hygiene: Okay, so here's another one of those conflicting resources moments. When to take your child to the dentist??? I'm actually quite interested in other parents' views or experiences on this topic...so here goes. I know that you're supposed to start brushing even before kids get teeth, which I'll admit I don't do. Secondly, as soon as they get their first tooth you're supposed to brush with non-fluoride paste and take them to the dentist. Here's where it gets hairy...do people actually do this??? I read in multiple resources that you should do it...however, after talking to various moms and friends, I don't know anyone who actually has done it. Most people I know wait until their child is at least 3 before going to the dentist. BUT, in another Parents article I read today (thanks Kathleen, by the way!:) they said your kid should be going to the dentist twice a year starting at age 1 and not only should they be using fluoride toothpaste at age 2, but they should be flossing as well. It then went on to say that you should be brushing your kids teeth until their like 7 or something...Really? Because so far I'm getting an F. I haven't moved Sophia off of the Little Bear beginner toothpaste and I'm sure as heck not flossing her teeth. I do do a follow-up brush after she's done it, but I was actually thinking of trying to wean us off that process in the next 6 months...guess not. So, please chime in on this, cuz I'd really like to know how far off base I really am! Step 1: put toothpaste on my next grocery list!





If you've gotten this far and read through my entire list of ramblings...way to go! And thank you! Having been sick and housebound the past few days I've had a chance to catch up on my reading and ponder too many thoughts going through my head! Being a parent is hard work and although I'm up for the job, sometimes it gets the best of me! I'm sure in another 10 years, I'll only be wishing my problems were as easy as fluoride or no fluoride, but until then, I'll continue obsessing about the small stuff! :)

Birthdays!

My Aunt Bess and Shelby share a birthday and we usually combine their celebrations, but this year, they each got their own! ;) We often visit Aunt Bess at her office so we're regular faces around there, and Sophia is much loved by everyone she meets. So when her office decided to throw her a surprise party, we made the list of VIPs. The unfortunate part was that it was smack in the middle of Sophia's nap time, so she was a bit unsociable...but once we got some cake in her, she perked right up! She walked around the party, pretty much ignoring everyone in her sleepy state saying...where's Aunt Bess? Where is she, I need her?? She happily found her and stuck by her side the rest of the time.

sisters!

party princess

(this picture is obviously post-cake!)

We also organized a family dinner at one of our favorite Chinese restaurants for last night, but unfortunately no pictures were taken b/c the resident picture taker (that's me!) has strep throat. Yup. Sucks, with a big fat S. So, everyone else went and enjoyed the dinner, but at least they sent some birthday cake home for us to enjoy. Once Aunt Bess realized that Sophia was coming with Stacy and Shelby, she wasn't too worried that Charlie and I wouldn't be in attendance. Isn't it nice to be replaced?!

Shelby celebrated her birthday with splashy style at Coco Key, a local indoor water park. She invited a friend and all of us had a splashingly good time! I even braved the really tall, long, and pitch black slide! It was super fun, though! Charlie missed this adventure because he was home sick that night. Although he doesn't have strep, I'm sure it still must have been his fault I got sick, some how, right?! ;)

14...her golden birthday!

They grow up so fast!

Mom kept tabs on everyone from her trusty cabana seat!

the boys enjoyed floating and playing

Leo was really having fun in the water!

upside down baby!

hee, hee, ha, ha...maybe it wasn't so bad after all!