Today, I took Hunter to the doctor to check on a few issues. There were only two things I really wanted the doctor to look at, but of course I took the opportunity to make a laundry list of other concerns. My thought is, hey, if I've got to pay a copay, I'm going to get my money's worth!
When the nurse called us back, I had to explain what was going on with Hunter. This is when it happened. As I ran through my laundry list with the nurse, she had this look on her face and that's when I realized what was happening... I was coming down with a bad case of FTM Syndrome - something I promised myself I wouldn't do - EVER. There I sat with my First Time Mom Syndrome flaring up despite my best intentions to avoid it. I had promised myself I wouldn't be THAT mom, you know the annoying one who worries over everything?
The good news is that all of Hunter's ailments were actually symptoms of my FTM Syndrome. He's totally fine. Me, on the other hand, I'm still looking for a cure. Unfortunately, I think the only cure is to have more kids. Oh dear.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Under Construction
Don't worry, you've landed at the right place. I'm working on a new blog layout to fit our new adventure into the land of parenthood! Stay tuned for updates on the blog make-over!
Hunter the Grunter
Hunter has had a habit of grunting since he was born. There he lay in his bassinet in the hospital, swaddled up like a teeny baby burrito, eyes closed, wiggling and grunting all day and night. It was as if he was totally dissatisfied with his new colder and brighter world outside my belly. At the time, we thought it was a newborn thing and he'd surely grow out of it as he adjusted to the new world around him. In the days after we returned home from the hospital, he grunted so much he earned the nickname Hunter the Grunter. While we don't call him that all the time, usually only during or after a grunt-fest, it seems he won't be out growing that nickname anytime soon.
Seven weeks later, he's still grunting his way through the day and night. He rarely cries to let us know how he's feeling. Instead, he grunts. Yep, he grunts when he sleeps, he grunts when he's trying to wake up, he grunts when he's hungry, when he's tired, when he needs a new diaper, when he's not happy... so pretty much all the time. Lately though, he's started to punctuate these grunting sessions with a few squeeks and meeps, and of course, the ubber-cute coos and goos. As for me, I'd rather wake up to little baby grunts, instead of crying, any day.
Seven weeks later, he's still grunting his way through the day and night. He rarely cries to let us know how he's feeling. Instead, he grunts. Yep, he grunts when he sleeps, he grunts when he's trying to wake up, he grunts when he's hungry, when he's tired, when he needs a new diaper, when he's not happy... so pretty much all the time. Lately though, he's started to punctuate these grunting sessions with a few squeeks and meeps, and of course, the ubber-cute coos and goos. As for me, I'd rather wake up to little baby grunts, instead of crying, any day.
Monday, June 15, 2009
What I wish I'd known...
While what you don't know might not always hurt you... there are those things that would have been nice to know in advance.
So, for all those who are ever going to be pregnant, here's some advice. And for those of you who have kids, you'll know what I'm talking about and hopefully laugh a little with me :)
Things they don't tell you before you get pregnant:
In the beginning, morning sickness makes everything difficult, even smiling - just when all you want to do is smile because, duh, you're finally pregnant!
First babies aren't always late, even though every one will tell you they are always late. Actually, they can be a whole week early and throw off your best laid plans, in an instant. Like when your water breaks on the Monday after your biggest work project was due, leaving the tidying up and post-project praise for someone else to enjoy.
Every pregnant woman does not crave pickles and ice cream. In fact, cravings aren't always strange. You can crave completely normal things like marshmallows. But, you can crave weird stuff too - like pickled green beans. ;)
So, for all those who are ever going to be pregnant, here's some advice. And for those of you who have kids, you'll know what I'm talking about and hopefully laugh a little with me :)
Things they don't tell you before you get pregnant:
In the beginning, morning sickness makes everything difficult, even smiling - just when all you want to do is smile because, duh, you're finally pregnant!
First babies aren't always late, even though every one will tell you they are always late. Actually, they can be a whole week early and throw off your best laid plans, in an instant. Like when your water breaks on the Monday after your biggest work project was due, leaving the tidying up and post-project praise for someone else to enjoy.
Every pregnant woman does not crave pickles and ice cream. In fact, cravings aren't always strange. You can crave completely normal things like marshmallows. But, you can crave weird stuff too - like pickled green beans. ;)
But, it's not always the kind of food you crave that can get you. The quantity can get you, too! Like, whole bags of mini-marshmallows, for instance.
At the time, you will want every cute new maternity outfit you see, but beware of how much you spend. Looking back, you will regret spending so much money on clothes that remind you of how large you were - and you'll want to burn the ones that still fit you 5 weeks later.
When it comes to labor stories, you will hear tons of horror stories and only a few happy ones. Focus on the happy ones and know that every delivery is different. And, it's true, the only thing that matters when you're in the moment, is getting the baby out. You won't really care how it happens.
Shift changes happen every 8-10 hours at the hospital. So, if you don't like your nurse, there's a chance you'll get a different one. The downside is that you may have to endure 8 more hours to get one, or you could suck it up like me and wait for the third nurse... yep, that equates to 24 hours.
You won't use any of those things you learned in Childbirth Class. But you should still go so you at least feel prepared going into it. Honestly though, what class is going to prepare you to push a television through a key hole? I mean, really, come on people.
And last but not least:
Epidurals are better than ice chips. Waaaay better. Get one as soon as possible.
I know there are a ton of other things that you learn after-the-fact, so if anyone has any to share, feel free to comment below. It will be some good-humored therapy for us all!
At the time, you will want every cute new maternity outfit you see, but beware of how much you spend. Looking back, you will regret spending so much money on clothes that remind you of how large you were - and you'll want to burn the ones that still fit you 5 weeks later.
When it comes to labor stories, you will hear tons of horror stories and only a few happy ones. Focus on the happy ones and know that every delivery is different. And, it's true, the only thing that matters when you're in the moment, is getting the baby out. You won't really care how it happens.
No matter how close you live to the hospital, it will take entirely too long to get there. And to make matters worse, it will probably be in rush hour. So, bring a towel and a snack.
If you have time, eat a big meal before you go to the hospital. Once you're admitted, it's ice chips only. This will scare the heck out of you if you haven't eaten, trust me.
If you have time, eat a big meal before you go to the hospital. Once you're admitted, it's ice chips only. This will scare the heck out of you if you haven't eaten, trust me.
Shift changes happen every 8-10 hours at the hospital. So, if you don't like your nurse, there's a chance you'll get a different one. The downside is that you may have to endure 8 more hours to get one, or you could suck it up like me and wait for the third nurse... yep, that equates to 24 hours.
You won't use any of those things you learned in Childbirth Class. But you should still go so you at least feel prepared going into it. Honestly though, what class is going to prepare you to push a television through a key hole? I mean, really, come on people.
And last but not least:
Epidurals are better than ice chips. Waaaay better. Get one as soon as possible.
I know there are a ton of other things that you learn after-the-fact, so if anyone has any to share, feel free to comment below. It will be some good-humored therapy for us all!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Special Guests
This past week we had two very special guests. My Grampa and Great Uncle Jon stopped by our house for a few days on their way to see the rest of the family. They drove all the way from northern Michigan - a whopping two-day, 1000 mile trip - to see us.
Me, Grampa Clay and Hunter
Hunter and his Great Grampa Clay
Hunter and his Great Great Uncle Jon
And as if seeing them wasn't enough, they came bearing gifts! As I mentioned earlier, our family is full of very talented carpenters - my grandfather being one of them. For our wedding, he surprised us with a hand crafted hope chest that sits in my living room and gets compliments from everyone we host. This time, the surprise was for Hunter, but I can tell you it surprised Hunter's Mommy, too! Check out the beautiful hand crafted high-chair my Grampa made for Hunter. It is so beautiful and I just can't say it enough - I am lucky to have such a wonderful family.
Me, Grampa Clay and Hunter
Hunter and his Great Grampa Clay
Hunter and his Great Great Uncle Jon
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Silly Mommy
Ok, if Hunter wasn't so darn cute in this video, I might be a little embarrassed to post this! I must preface this by saying that it's really amazing what you find yourself doing to coax your baby, and this is no exception. It all began as I was getting ready for the day and I couldn't find any socks. Having just put "sockies" on Hunter, I naturally referred to my socks as "sockies" too. (Side note: It's funny how everything suddenly ends in "-ies" when you have a baby. Sockies, pacies, boogies, feetsies, etc.) So, back to the story... I was digging in the closet looking for my "sockies" and, of course, we have been doing all sorts of silly things to get reactions from Hunter. So, put two and two together, and you get the video below. I hope you guys enjoy this half as much as I did!
Pardon the quality - my phone was the closest thing I could grab to capture the moment! And, if anyone knows how to convert Blackberry videos for free, please do tell :) We had to use a free trial that only let us convert the first 5 minutes, leaving about 40 seconds of cuteness un-converted and thus un-postable. Please feel free to voice your extreme dissent to Blackberry.
Pardon the quality - my phone was the closest thing I could grab to capture the moment! And, if anyone knows how to convert Blackberry videos for free, please do tell :) We had to use a free trial that only let us convert the first 5 minutes, leaving about 40 seconds of cuteness un-converted and thus un-postable. Please feel free to voice your extreme dissent to Blackberry.
