Baby B is undergoing nebulizer treatments four times daily. Our goal is to eject the fluids from his lungs. Just to add to the fun, he started sneezing yesterday. I know, I know, it's not a big deal, right? Well, now he has a runny nose, too. The problem is that this could produce more fluids running into his lungs and, ultimately, make it more difficult to get past this little illness. Let's be honest, I'm just worried about this turning into pneumonia. With all of the swine flu hype, I need this baby in optimal health.
Let me just take a moment to share, again, how happy Baby B is at his Mothers' Day Out. He is all smiles all of the time. He even enjoys playing with the "big" kids. They take him outside everyday and keep him engaged every hour. The ladies there are wonderful, and I couldn't be more grateful to them!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
Teething and More...
Well, Houston, we have a budding tooth! It is a small dot of white peeking through his upper gums. Although we've been told that teeth normally come on the bottom first, our little man continues to be an anomaly. I would have waited on this post so that I could include a photograph, but despite many attempts, I cannot get the proverbial "money" shot.
Yesterday Baby B had his 6-month appointment. Results? 22lbs., 4oz., 28.5", one shot, and one Rotavirus dosage. We were told to move towards table foods and to eat three meals a day.
Now on to the more notable issue... Seemingly, Baby B had a TERRIBLE reaction to his HIB vaccine. Although the shot was given to him around 2:30pm, he was congested and unable sleep by 10pm. This was our first all-nighter. He was also unable or unwilling to eat. Basically, I was freaking out. Fortunately, he did not seem to have a fever, otherwise we would have been at the ER. Frankly, if it had not been storming and flooding, we might have ventured out sans fever. I was and am NOT happy about this reaction. I am frustrated because I did tell the nurses that he was running a fever on Sunday, but they chose to administer the vaccine anyways...without having taken his temperature at any point during the appointment yesterday. I am petrified of vaccines, and just as I started to believe that my big baby would actually be fine through them all, we developed a very frightening issue. Were Baby B not having his regular "morning marathon" we would be on our way to the pediatrician's office right now. They will definitely be hearing from me today. I hope they will have a suggestion to deal with his congestion.
For those of you that recall, this morning was supposed to be my long-awaited endocrinologist appointment. Yes, I had to cancel it. No, Baby B is not going to Mothers' Day Out today. Hopefully, we'll get this show on the road tomorrow.
Yesterday Baby B had his 6-month appointment. Results? 22lbs., 4oz., 28.5", one shot, and one Rotavirus dosage. We were told to move towards table foods and to eat three meals a day.
Now on to the more notable issue... Seemingly, Baby B had a TERRIBLE reaction to his HIB vaccine. Although the shot was given to him around 2:30pm, he was congested and unable sleep by 10pm. This was our first all-nighter. He was also unable or unwilling to eat. Basically, I was freaking out. Fortunately, he did not seem to have a fever, otherwise we would have been at the ER. Frankly, if it had not been storming and flooding, we might have ventured out sans fever. I was and am NOT happy about this reaction. I am frustrated because I did tell the nurses that he was running a fever on Sunday, but they chose to administer the vaccine anyways...without having taken his temperature at any point during the appointment yesterday. I am petrified of vaccines, and just as I started to believe that my big baby would actually be fine through them all, we developed a very frightening issue. Were Baby B not having his regular "morning marathon" we would be on our way to the pediatrician's office right now. They will definitely be hearing from me today. I hope they will have a suggestion to deal with his congestion.
For those of you that recall, this morning was supposed to be my long-awaited endocrinologist appointment. Yes, I had to cancel it. No, Baby B is not going to Mothers' Day Out today. Hopefully, we'll get this show on the road tomorrow.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
He participated in "Art!"
Today was day #2 of Mothers' Day Out. Baby B loves it so much, and, frankly, I'm shocked because neither his mother nor his father is socially adept. B is the only "baby" in his class. The other kiddos are all walking. Of course, if you've seen B lately you probably know I'm not kidding when I say he could "take" any of them, any time, any place. Due to his immobility, the teachers are forced to give him constant attention. Lets be honest: women love babies, so they just dote on him all day. That works for us! He seems to be in great hands, and he's totally appreciating it. Thank goodness; it's costing us enough money.
Anyhow, today when I went to pick him up they told me that he had participated in "art." Apparently, he made some hand prints...since I didn't get to see them, I'm guessing they're for Mothers' Day. Hey, if they're forcing my 6-month-old baby to make me a Mothers' Day gift, this place is worth its weight in gold. Oh, and you better believe that this little token will be hanging from our fridge for YEARS to come. Well, not really, only until I can get it FRAMED!
Anyhow, today when I went to pick him up they told me that he had participated in "art." Apparently, he made some hand prints...since I didn't get to see them, I'm guessing they're for Mothers' Day. Hey, if they're forcing my 6-month-old baby to make me a Mothers' Day gift, this place is worth its weight in gold. Oh, and you better believe that this little token will be hanging from our fridge for YEARS to come. Well, not really, only until I can get it FRAMED!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Pictures are up!
Ryan uploaded pictures from the last two weeks. Check out the "April" link on the right-hand side of the screen. You can see Baby Benjamin at the Passover table, in his bath seat, and at the Maroon & White game (Kyle Field.) Good times were had by all.
Today the excitement peaked with a trip to HEB. Baby B sat up in the cart the entire time. He would slump over to the side, and I would help prop him up again. The point is, we're making progress.
Tomorrow is his first day of Mothers' Day Out. I hope I won't fall apart when it comes time to leave him...
Today the excitement peaked with a trip to HEB. Baby B sat up in the cart the entire time. He would slump over to the side, and I would help prop him up again. The point is, we're making progress.
Tomorrow is his first day of Mothers' Day Out. I hope I won't fall apart when it comes time to leave him...
Friday, April 17, 2009
Updates!
1. B's new favorite game is "in-and-out the passifier goes." It seems that he is practicing his dexterity. He removes the passifier from his mouth (often sending me into a panic,) slams it around flailing his arms, and then catches it with his other hand in attempt to use both to return it to his mouth. He does have trouble getting the correct end of the passifier back to his mouth. This is because it is easier for him to grasp the silicone part. Eventually, however, he is able to succeed...just to try it all over again.
2. Vomit happens...every time I put him in a clean outfit. I'm sorry he smells like spit-up. I really am. I have even begun trying new tactics like putting him in bibs all day (he just slobbers through them - even the plastic-backed ones) and keeping the passifier from him until he is well on his way to digesting his food (this has helped some.)
A few weeks ago B and I were at the CVS in the checkout line. I was carrying him on my hit and sweating bullets because my arm was about to fall off - heavy kid woes. Anyhow, the kind man behind me interrupted me on the homestretch of reaching for my credit card and said, "Ma/am, he spit up on your shoulder." Duh. It's just the jewelry my kid adorns me with everyday. At that point, the man behind the counter leaves me, my arm throbbing at this point, to get me some papertowels. It was so nice of him...however, spit up doesn't wipe away like crumbs, so it was really futile. I just wanted to put the kid back in his carseat. Torture.
3. B likes to stick his fingers down his throat until he spits up. I hope this will not become a theme in his life.
4. We had a very exciting trip to Kroger on Wednesday evening. Much to my chagrin, Kroger - unbeknownst to me at the time - is the only grocery store that does not have shopping carts with infant seats attached. Well, a stroller is not a practical tool when I need a shopping cart full of groceries. (Truth be told, I did not NEED a shopping cart full of groceries, but I was stocking up since I found a way to save 50% off the grocery bill for those select items...I love a good deal...which seems to be becoming a point of obsession these days...)
Anyhow, I was in a bind and left with only two options: go home and return to the store another day or proceed with B in the child seat. B does not sit up very well, and I did not have my shopping cart cover that is supposed to protect him from germs. In fact, I still haven't used it because I thought I needed to wait until B was a pro at sitting. I did have a receiving blanket, so I tried to cushion the seat with it and pray for luck. I was surprised to find that B not only worked very hard to balance himself most of the time (I tried to help him with one hand,) but he was also very patient and forgiving. We must have been there for forty-five minutes before I reached for my final item. At that point, B let out his first whimper, and I pulled him out of the seat with animated congratulations and gratitude.
Final challenge: the checkout line. It was around 6:30pm, and the checkout line was long. I feared the worst: a meltdown and an inability to hold him for the duration of our wait. Leave it to B to pleasantly surprise me again. Not only did he hold himself upright enough to mitigate much of his weight on my arm, but he garnered EVERYONE'S attention in the most POSITIVE way! He was screaming with laughter and cooing with delight from the time we stepped into line until the time we stepped out the door. B wanted to talk to everyone he could see, and due to his giggles, they wanted to respond. Normally, he is very shy, but Kroger (or my excellent savings) seemed to light him up in a very rare and special way. Thanks, Baby B!
5. B has to have his third round of DTaP before he can go to Mothers' Day Out. Hopefully, we can take care of this a week from Monday since I have an endocrinologist appointment the next day. (Speaking of that, due to the 4 month wait to see the doctor, today I will run out of my Levothyroxine/Synthroid, so I'm soliciting donations to get me through the next ten days...I take 1mg per day...in case this solicitation is illegal, I may or may not be serious, and I may or may not recall this in the future, and if you put this publication in front of me while I am under oath, I may or may not recall the state of mind in which I am typing this.)
6. Sleep is good. B seems to wake at about 7:30am, but he doesn't call out for me until around 8am. That works for me, especially since he goes down for a one-hour nap around 9am. Then, he naps again from around 2pm until 3:30pm, and he goes to sleep at night around 8pm. Although, every night we attempt to move his bedtime up to 7pm.
Please email Ryan and try to persuade him (in the subject line lest he attempts to ignore you) to upload the many pictures we have taken since the last posting!
2. Vomit happens...every time I put him in a clean outfit. I'm sorry he smells like spit-up. I really am. I have even begun trying new tactics like putting him in bibs all day (he just slobbers through them - even the plastic-backed ones) and keeping the passifier from him until he is well on his way to digesting his food (this has helped some.)
A few weeks ago B and I were at the CVS in the checkout line. I was carrying him on my hit and sweating bullets because my arm was about to fall off - heavy kid woes. Anyhow, the kind man behind me interrupted me on the homestretch of reaching for my credit card and said, "Ma/am, he spit up on your shoulder." Duh. It's just the jewelry my kid adorns me with everyday. At that point, the man behind the counter leaves me, my arm throbbing at this point, to get me some papertowels. It was so nice of him...however, spit up doesn't wipe away like crumbs, so it was really futile. I just wanted to put the kid back in his carseat. Torture.
3. B likes to stick his fingers down his throat until he spits up. I hope this will not become a theme in his life.
4. We had a very exciting trip to Kroger on Wednesday evening. Much to my chagrin, Kroger - unbeknownst to me at the time - is the only grocery store that does not have shopping carts with infant seats attached. Well, a stroller is not a practical tool when I need a shopping cart full of groceries. (Truth be told, I did not NEED a shopping cart full of groceries, but I was stocking up since I found a way to save 50% off the grocery bill for those select items...I love a good deal...which seems to be becoming a point of obsession these days...)
Anyhow, I was in a bind and left with only two options: go home and return to the store another day or proceed with B in the child seat. B does not sit up very well, and I did not have my shopping cart cover that is supposed to protect him from germs. In fact, I still haven't used it because I thought I needed to wait until B was a pro at sitting. I did have a receiving blanket, so I tried to cushion the seat with it and pray for luck. I was surprised to find that B not only worked very hard to balance himself most of the time (I tried to help him with one hand,) but he was also very patient and forgiving. We must have been there for forty-five minutes before I reached for my final item. At that point, B let out his first whimper, and I pulled him out of the seat with animated congratulations and gratitude.
Final challenge: the checkout line. It was around 6:30pm, and the checkout line was long. I feared the worst: a meltdown and an inability to hold him for the duration of our wait. Leave it to B to pleasantly surprise me again. Not only did he hold himself upright enough to mitigate much of his weight on my arm, but he garnered EVERYONE'S attention in the most POSITIVE way! He was screaming with laughter and cooing with delight from the time we stepped into line until the time we stepped out the door. B wanted to talk to everyone he could see, and due to his giggles, they wanted to respond. Normally, he is very shy, but Kroger (or my excellent savings) seemed to light him up in a very rare and special way. Thanks, Baby B!
5. B has to have his third round of DTaP before he can go to Mothers' Day Out. Hopefully, we can take care of this a week from Monday since I have an endocrinologist appointment the next day. (Speaking of that, due to the 4 month wait to see the doctor, today I will run out of my Levothyroxine/Synthroid, so I'm soliciting donations to get me through the next ten days...I take 1mg per day...in case this solicitation is illegal, I may or may not be serious, and I may or may not recall this in the future, and if you put this publication in front of me while I am under oath, I may or may not recall the state of mind in which I am typing this.)
6. Sleep is good. B seems to wake at about 7:30am, but he doesn't call out for me until around 8am. That works for me, especially since he goes down for a one-hour nap around 9am. Then, he naps again from around 2pm until 3:30pm, and he goes to sleep at night around 8pm. Although, every night we attempt to move his bedtime up to 7pm.
Please email Ryan and try to persuade him (in the subject line lest he attempts to ignore you) to upload the many pictures we have taken since the last posting!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Diaper Debacles & Mother's Day Out
These days Benjamin and I have an ongoing fight on the changing table. I thought I had rock-solid changing skills: I use the "tent" system to avoid sprays, I use the tie-down to avoid falls, etc. Not so fast. His excited kicking has become so forceful that I am no longer able to hold his legs while changing the diaper. He kicks out of my grip sending me into anxious screams. We've been "this close" to a mess. I don't like messes. I'd post a video, but I'm not looking for a lawsuit...
Speaking of lawsuits... I HAVE to take the Bar Exam in July. Yuck. Studying is not fun, but I have begun. There are over 100 lessons averaging an estimated time of four hours each. Well, SURPRISE! Today I found out that the 3-4 hour lessons will most likely take me 5 hours...6 hours if I create my own derivative outline.
Lord help me.
"Yes, Jennifer, I am here to help you!"
"Thank you, God. What is your solution?"
"Jennifer, many years ago, I created a mother's fantasy called, 'Mother's Day Out.' It will perfectly meet your needs. Oh yes, and I - regrettably - created the IRS. They will send you a check to pay for this Mother's Day Out program I have provided for you. This is my Easter gift to my Jewish children."
Okay, so this is the spiritual conversation that took place in my head, but, alas, Benjamin will be starting Mother's Day Out sometime in the next week or two. Isn't it wonderful how God really does provide in the most unexpected ways?
Speaking of lawsuits... I HAVE to take the Bar Exam in July. Yuck. Studying is not fun, but I have begun. There are over 100 lessons averaging an estimated time of four hours each. Well, SURPRISE! Today I found out that the 3-4 hour lessons will most likely take me 5 hours...6 hours if I create my own derivative outline.
Lord help me.
"Yes, Jennifer, I am here to help you!"
"Thank you, God. What is your solution?"
"Jennifer, many years ago, I created a mother's fantasy called, 'Mother's Day Out.' It will perfectly meet your needs. Oh yes, and I - regrettably - created the IRS. They will send you a check to pay for this Mother's Day Out program I have provided for you. This is my Easter gift to my Jewish children."
Okay, so this is the spiritual conversation that took place in my head, but, alas, Benjamin will be starting Mother's Day Out sometime in the next week or two. Isn't it wonderful how God really does provide in the most unexpected ways?
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Pictures...Finally!
You know this makes Daddy proud:
This is what a day in the Levy Casa looks like...
Benjamin in his walker... aka "Super-Coupe."
2-year-old Moshe vs. 5-month-old Benjamin...hmmmm...this is NOT a joke!
Going, Going, GONE!
Above is a series of pictures from the past couple of weeks. Note that Baby B is FINALLY growing some hair!
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