Monday, August 29, 2011

Oh, the Doctor's She'll See

Had our 2 month checkup today. Amelia has gained weight nicely, and has grown. Still has a tiny head, but her development is on track. Results are finally in on the MCADD - nope. But, they still don't want us to let her go more than 6 hrs without eating. The geneticists think that perhaps Mia may not be able to process proteins for energy. More tests happening tomorrow, but those results should only take 10 days. We'll see.

OK, here's Mia, by the numbers at 2 months:

Height: 22 1/4 inches (50th percentile)
Weight: 9 lbs, 15 oz (25th percentile)
Head Circumference: 14 inches (less than 5th percentile)

The GP said (again) that they need to keep an eye on her small head. So long as she's hitting her developmental milestones they won't worry. Small heads can mean developmental issues, but it may just be that she has a small head. I'm starting to dislike doctors in general.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Natural Disasters

It's been a very strange week. Tuesday we had the earthquake (and if I hadn't grabbed her out of the pack n' play, Mia probably would have slept through it), yesterday we had a hurricane. All through the week we've been working on sleeping in the crib and dealing with flight issues. First Grandma's, then Ken's.

The earthquake was strange. I was on the phone with Ken when it happened. Felt like the house did a shimmy, twice. Lasted less than 30 seconds overall, but it was frightening. Ken's first thought when I tried to explain was that perhaps our neighbors had done something to the foundation. My first thought was earthquake and then I went outside to see if it was our neighbors only to see everyone who was home out of doors asking "are you OK?" and "did you feel that?".

Debbie was supposed to be landing just as the earthquake struck but her original flight had engine trouble and she was put on a later flight. She made it here on Tuesday, just much later in the day. Mostly we've hung out, done way too much shopping and generally just had some Grandma/Amelia time. Right now they're napping together. So cute.

Ken and Kieran were supposed to be home yesterday. Friday night their Saturday flight was cancelled and they were put on a flight coming in at 9 am today. Then that flight was cancelled as well. Now they'll be home (hopeully) around 9 tonight. Grandma will definitely miss time with Kieran as he starts school tomorrow.

Met Kieran's teacher, Ms. Tiernan. She's got 5 years experience teaching Kindergarten and seemed to have a good handle on everything. Kieran will be in a class of 22 kids total. I forewarned Ms. Tiernan that Kieran can be something of a teacher's pet - but I think he'll love his new school. Especially once he's able to do some playdates with his new classmates.

Amelia's sleep training has been going well. Still having some issues getting her down to begin with but once she is asleep she sleeps well - until I have to wake her 6 hrs later for a feeding (still no results on her tests), then she usually sleeps for another 2-3 hrs. Right now it seems like her bedtime is 10 pm (ish) which may be good because Kieran will already be in bed asleep so if she needs a few more "put downs" he'll (hopefully) sleep through her cries. I'm very excited to have Ken back and now we can even sleep in the same bed... amazing.

Today we'll be putzing around the house, taking some walks to see the damage around the neighborhood and just generally taking it easy until we pick them up. Next week is my last week at home... we start daycare and back to work the day after Labor Day. I'm starting to freak out about leaving Amelia with what will be strangers to her on Tuesday, but what choice do I have? I know once she gets fed by them she'll calm down... and that if they need me I'm only 5 minutes away.

In other news, my mom got her surgery date - Sept 19th. I'll take the day off and hang at the hospital and I know we'll work out some after-surgery schedule as well. OK, that's about all the news I've got. Love to all blog again soon.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Ah, Sleep

Mia's been sleeping with someone holding her on the sofa, pretty much since she's been born. She has hated to be set down, pretty much screaming bloody murder if you tried. Since we haven't been ready to try sleep training, we just split the night sleeping in bed (Ken would lay down with her from 10 until 2 when she fed and then it was my turn. I've missed laying in bed with my husband.

So, while Ken & Kieran enjoy the charms of Orlando and there is no one besides our neighbors (who, let's face it, deserve some tit-for-tat in the noise department) to wake up, I thought I'd begin sleep training.

My first night I didn't bother with the 10 pm slee because I was too tired. At her 1:30 wakeup, however, I took her upstairs, fed her and laid her down (around 2:45). She lasted one hour. Fed her again and she slept from 4 until 7. Hope to start in her bedroom tonight and will try to get the big sleep in her crib. We'll see. I don't know if I'll be able to get her to repeat the process. Fingers crossed everyone.

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Things He Probably Won't Remeber Saying

Kieran's been mostly good Even being as cooped up as we've been. Tuesday we went to visit with his cousins (even though he'll spend all next week with them). He had a great time, but as we were getting ready to go, Aunt Wendy was holding Amelia and asking Kieran about her.

Wendy: Do you like your sister?
Kieran: We love her. We're going to keep her forever.
Wendy: Can I borrow her?
Kieran: No, we're keeping her forever, I love her, whatever she wants to do, I do.
Wendy (to me): You should get that on tape.

Yesterday was an adventure (not in a great way). I had this plan to go visit Kilby Cream, a dairy farm about an hour north of here. Right as we were trying to get onto I-95, the exit was blocked. Turning around, I clipped a curb and blew a tire. A new tire. The tire we JUST BOUGHT last week. Two big "thank goodness" happened. First, I was only 2 blocks from a location where we could get it fixed. Second was that we had bought the hazard insurance on the tires so we only paid for the hazard on the new tire ($15) instead of a whole new tire ($150).

This, however, meant that we were home-bound because we had no car while we waited. To get out after awhile, we walked down to Screwballs in Locust Point where they make snowballs and have ice cream. Kieran had never had a snowball before and had been seeing commercials for a slushee maker on TV. Thought he'd enjoy the treat. We got there and, after choosing "The Dora" kid's cup snowball, Kieran sat down and said several times "This is the best day ever." I promised him that we'd go again on Friday with Ken. He also told me while we were walking that whatever I say is correct and he'll do what I tell him. I said I wanted to record that, we'll see if he sticks to that.

Monday, August 08, 2011

Still Waiting

So initial results are in and we don't know anything yet. Basically the first test came back negative but that just means that the drs have to run secondary tests, not that she does not have MCADD.

Back to waiting for 2-3 weeks. UGH.

I have survived the first week at home with both kids. It's definitely challenging and Kieran has been acting up more than usual. He's upset about not being the spotlight person all the time, though he still dotes on Amelia (hugs and kisses her every day, makes artwork for her, etc). I don't believe he truly understands why he is so frustrated or angry, but whatever the reason we're teaching him the behavior is not acceptable. He's getting it - slowly but surely.

Mia has gained weight nicely, I'm certain she's over 8 lbs now. Still mostly breastfeeding which is different than it was with Kieran, but we did more to establish my milk supply this time. I must say it is nice not to have to drop $100 per month on formula. At least so far. I'm hoping that I can keep pumping enough for her (or at least more than half of what she needs) until she no longer needs formula when she's a year old. We'll see. I only made it to 6 months with Kieran and once I go back to work it will definitely become a challenge to keep up with pumping.

Speaking of work, my plan is to head back right after labor day. Initially I was going to go back the week after that, but Kieran actually starts his new school the week before. Mostly I just wanted to be home the week that he starts at his new school, to help with the transition. This week we're going to be meeting up with some of the kids who will be in his class at the new school. We plan to meet up a few times before school starts so the kids know each other before the first day. I'm excited because we haven't done enough to help Kieran make friends around here and I'm looking forward to not being his sole means of entertainment on the weekends. If he's got friends around, we can work on playdates, etc.

And, in other family news...
My mom and grandmother are doing OK after my grandfather's passing. I miss him a lot, he was an amazing person. However, given his state of being it feels nearly peaceful, his passing. We plan on choosing a hebrew name for Mia that will honor his memory. Kieran does not quite understand death yet (and it makes me crazy all his "I'm gonna make you dead/I'm gonna kill you" superhero talk). We had this exchange last week walking to the science center:

Me: I need to call Oma, we'll probably visit her this weekend.
Kieran: And Opa?
Me: No, sweetie, Opa is dead. We won't see him again.
Kieran: Why?
Me: Because he's dead. Do you remember when we put dirt on the box in the ground? That was Opa's body, it was a way to say goodbye.
Kieran takes a minute or two to think this over. Kieran: I miss Opa.
Me: Me too.

Mom is doing well after her last bit of chemo. Right now she's been consulting with doctors about her next steps. Surgery will likely be later this month and then recovery will be another month or so after that. Soon as I know more, I'll let everyone know.