Us3

Us3

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Anderson's 4 Month Appointment

Well, we made it thru his appointment and we're finally back home. Phew...what a morning!

First, we started out with a GREAT night sleep- AJ only woke up twice (that I remember) and so we both got much needed good sleep.

I went to his appointment with a few questions/concerns that I wanted to talk with the doctor about. First, I wanted to talk about vaccines and what he was getting and talk about my concerns that I had last night. He pretty much told me that it would be worse NOT to get them and that there is no link whatsoever to autism. Now, I don't know if I completely believe that or not as there's just so many different views of it; regardless, I did feel a little better.

I also asked the doctor about Anderson's HATE for the car seat; he pretty much laughed, told me it was a phase (a LONG phase) and that eventually he'll grow out of it. I said that I'm sure he'd do better in a front facing car seat, but I know it's too early to do that. When I said that he pretty much jumped out of his chair to explain car seat safety to me. I KNOW I can't put him in a front facing seat, I was just saying that my life would probably be easier if I could... He suggested getting a convertible car seat- basically a bigger seat that can be either rear or forward facing as it may be more comfortable for him. We're going to need one anyway once AJ grows out of this one, so we may get one in the next week or so to see if that works...

The doctor then told me that Anderson is in fact NOT teething and to stop giving him Tylenol. He said that babies don't get teeth until they are 6-8 months old and that teething doesn't hurt them anyway. I don't know about that, but I'm not the doctor so I guess I will go with it. He said that drooling, eating his hands, getting a fever or running nose are not signs of teething. He said that babies are just very oral and put everything in their mouths.

I then told the doctor that Anderson is a tummy sleeper... You would have thought I told him that I put AJ on the roof of the car and then drove around with him!! He looked stunned! I know I'm not the only mom who's baby would rather sleep on his tummy right?? He then explained how unsafe this is and gave me a print out on SIDS and when I told him that AJ just won't sleep on his back, he said, "If you put him on his back he will". At that moment I just wanted to get out of there. I really do like my doctor, but there was something about today's visit that gave me a bad feeling. Anyway, we're still going to put AJ on his stomach because that is how he LIKES TO SLEEP! (and when he sleeps, I can sleep!)

Lastly, Anderson did really well with the shots; all things considered. He had an oral shot which he drank in record time. The nurse laughed at how fast he drank it. Then came the actual shots in the legs. AJ got 3 of them and he certainly cried and hated it, but it was very quick and once it was over, I fed him and he quickly calmed down. I think he'll be just fine.

Here are his stats:

Weight: 16lbs 13oz (90th percentile)
Height: 25 1/4 inches (75th percentile)


*** Jason is certainly relieved that he's gotten taller- he was really worried that AJ would be short and chunky)***

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Motherhood Stress...

So, obviously I knew becoming a mom would be stressful. I would worry about Anderson's all around safety and happiness among many other things, but what I never considered were the stresses that I'm feeling lately.

Anderson's 4 month shots are coming up tomorrow and I am TERRIFIED about them. First of all, his 2 month shots were something I know I'll never forget- the pain and horror in his eyes till this day freaks me out. Luckily I know he's long forgotten them. Well, now I worry that maybe I should not give him his shots just yet for fear of something worse than what they are vaccinating him for! (And what really are the chances that he'll get the measles anyway!) I've been reading and hearing too much about autism and it scares the living daylights out of me. I also don't want to see him all happy again only to be poked painfully in the leg four times...ugh!

Another thing that keeps me up at night is the fear of leaving him with a sitter. It is NOT the fear of anything happening to him because obviously I would only leave him with people I trust 200%. It's the fear that he'll cry the entire time, or that the person watching him will be incredibly overwhelmed. The main thing that worries me is that he won't take a bottle so if he is hungry (which I can pretty much guarantee he won't be as I feed him before I would ever leave him and not leave him long enough to be hungry again) and then what??

I suppose I should give Anderson and my friends and family who want to watch him much more credit. I know they will all survive- I'm not the ONLY person who can watch him or make him happy- but at times I feel that way.

So, I wonder- do all moms feel this way? Is this normal? Should I leave him with a sitter more often to get him used to this? When does it get easier? Or does it at all?

This is all coming from a mom who got about 4 hours of sleep last night, so keep that in mind! But, in all reality, I think about this stuff daily... I just love him- more than I even imagined I could....

Monday, October 20, 2008

Time is FLYING by!

Wow, I can't believe that we're in the middle of October already! Geez, time flies when you're having fun!

It's been a crazy month- but really they all are these days. I have been fortunate enough to really get some quality ME TIME this month. I started playing Bunko with some friends. It's once a month and in November, I'm hosting. It is super fun and just wonderful to play a mindless game while enjoying the company of other women (and no kids!)and eat a bunch of yummy fattening appetizers. My mom used to play Bunko when I was young and so it's fun to be a part of that now. I have also been able to get a sitter a few times this month. Our friend Cindy has continued to watch AJ once a week for 2 hours so I an work out or like today, run a million errands. It's difficult to get things done with AJ especially because he HATES his car seat so much.

Tonight I am going to a concert with Holly and then she's been kind enough to offer to watch AJ on Thursday night so Jason and I can get some MUCH needed US time. We'll probably go to dinner- which sounds fantastic! We haven't been able to go to dinner in a long time as Anderson's ready for bed no later than 6:30pm. I feel like maybe I sound like I don't enjoy my time with AJ, but I REALLY do! I just need a break sometimes.

Anderson has had a few more "firsts" this month. We went to the pumpkin patch a few weeks back (and froze!) and then yesterday we went to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate our friends daughters birthday. What fun!! AJ didn't know what the heck was going on, but there was a lot of noise and stimulation that's for sure!

Coming up this month, Jason & I are going to see Jason Mraz in concert with some friends next week and then this weekend we're going to a Halloween party. It's the 2nd annual party on our street and we're hiring a great band. This year we're all dressing up like celebrities. I will be Princess Diana and I am sworn to secrecy for Jason's costume. (Check back for pictures next week) Last year was a blast- but I was newly pregnant- and I'm sure this year will be super fun too!

Then at the end of the month, we will celebrate Jason's 33 birthday. I have a little something special up my sleeve and I certainly hope he enjoys his day!

So that is our month! Crazy! And with the holidays coming up, something tells me it's only going to get more crazy and fun! Anderson has made our lives so much fun. He's been "talking" a ton lately, constantly eating his hands, laughs and smiles all the time and is really enjoying his rice cereal. He's growing like a weed- wearing mostly 6 month clothing now (he's not even 4 months old!)and already in size 3 diapers! This just amazes me...

We have our next doctors appointment on Wednesday... Mommy is NOT thrilled by this because I know it's time for more shots! I REALLY hope they aren't as bad as last time!

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Fall Photo

Today I decided to get AJ's first official "fall photo". Enjoy! I suppose it's not his FIRST, but it's his first with a pumpkin! :)