Saturday, November 27, 2010
Winter Wonderland
Even as I am sitting here, the snow is falling in huge, fluffy flakes. Winter in Central Oregon has officially arrived. OK...so, I'm a bit behind the first snow fall blog of the season...it actually happened weeks ago. But I guess since it's Thanksgiving weekend, and I've spent a lot of my time in the past couple of days baking, cooking, and pretty much being a domestic goddess, it felt right that we woke to snow falling on this beautiful Saturday morning, hence, the feeling that Winter has finally arrived.
I promised myself that I would be better at taking more photos this year. Especially since Connor is at an age (well, almost) where he will actually react to different things rather than sit immobile and simply stare at the pretty blinking lights. I have already failed with my promise. We got through two wonderful days of celebration---Thanksgiving AND an epic Oregon win---without a single photo (Insert sad, disappointed smiley here).
So, to make up for my lack of documentation, I thought I would simply post a long (7 minute) video of Connor's first true experience with snow. At least I was able to get my head out to actually capture that, right?!?
I promised myself that I would be better at taking more photos this year. Especially since Connor is at an age (well, almost) where he will actually react to different things rather than sit immobile and simply stare at the pretty blinking lights. I have already failed with my promise. We got through two wonderful days of celebration---Thanksgiving AND an epic Oregon win---without a single photo (Insert sad, disappointed smiley here).
So, to make up for my lack of documentation, I thought I would simply post a long (7 minute) video of Connor's first true experience with snow. At least I was able to get my head out to actually capture that, right?!?
Monday, November 22, 2010
Relief
There was never a question in my mind that I was fully prepared and felt ready to have a baby. I had spent so much time around babies and small children throughout my life that I felt confidence in my decisions.
But it's not possible to plan for everything.
I never suspected that we would have to worry about Connor's weight. Now, I knew that he most likely got his petite genes from Brian's side of the family, but I had no idea how much his weight (or lack of) would cause so much anxiety (for me and Brian) and scrutiny (by nurses and doctors).
Connor began his life in the 25th percentile, and has, over the past year, dropped well below the norm and into the low single-digit percentiles. Because of the tracking system, it was not uncommon for nurses to shake their heads, mutter under their breath and make comments like, "He sure is little, isn't he?" or "He's way below the norm." Not only does this kind of comment stab a mother in her heart, it opens up a need to defend every waking moment of her child's life.
It all came to a head at Connor's one-year appointment. He had been having trouble drinking cow's milk and was therefore drinking rice milk while eating solids. More than once, I called the pediatrician's office questioning the rice milk and wondering if we should be supplementing. The same answer came from the nurses each time, "If he's eating solids, there isn't a need to supplement. The rice milk is ok, as long as it's not his only source of nutrition." So, imagine my surprise (and Brian's, since he had to take Connor to his appointment) when our doctor thought Connor was malnourished and needed to be weighed every two months until we could prove we were taking care of him.
Shocked, pissed off, and worried, there was nothing to do but work hard to fill our little boy up as much as possible. We switched back to whole milk, supplemented with soy milk, and didn't deny multiple snacks during the day or ketchup & ranch to dip his chicken in at dinner. Nighttime bottles were also encouraged if he made a single fuss at 2 a.m.
Over the past two months, we couldn't be too sure if he was gaining enough. His clothes were still big-- he was wearing 6-9 month pants, but he seemed more solid when we held him. The true question was going to be whether or not he had gained enough to not only please our doctor, but to give us a peace of mind.
Much to our relief, Connor weighed in today at 19 lbs. Since his last weigh in, he had gained one pound, seven ounces. And our doctor was more than pleased.
I never thought, in a world where petite and thin are in, that I would have to worry so much about how little my little guy was.
But it's not possible to plan for everything.
I never suspected that we would have to worry about Connor's weight. Now, I knew that he most likely got his petite genes from Brian's side of the family, but I had no idea how much his weight (or lack of) would cause so much anxiety (for me and Brian) and scrutiny (by nurses and doctors).
Connor began his life in the 25th percentile, and has, over the past year, dropped well below the norm and into the low single-digit percentiles. Because of the tracking system, it was not uncommon for nurses to shake their heads, mutter under their breath and make comments like, "He sure is little, isn't he?" or "He's way below the norm." Not only does this kind of comment stab a mother in her heart, it opens up a need to defend every waking moment of her child's life.
It all came to a head at Connor's one-year appointment. He had been having trouble drinking cow's milk and was therefore drinking rice milk while eating solids. More than once, I called the pediatrician's office questioning the rice milk and wondering if we should be supplementing. The same answer came from the nurses each time, "If he's eating solids, there isn't a need to supplement. The rice milk is ok, as long as it's not his only source of nutrition." So, imagine my surprise (and Brian's, since he had to take Connor to his appointment) when our doctor thought Connor was malnourished and needed to be weighed every two months until we could prove we were taking care of him.
Shocked, pissed off, and worried, there was nothing to do but work hard to fill our little boy up as much as possible. We switched back to whole milk, supplemented with soy milk, and didn't deny multiple snacks during the day or ketchup & ranch to dip his chicken in at dinner. Nighttime bottles were also encouraged if he made a single fuss at 2 a.m.
Over the past two months, we couldn't be too sure if he was gaining enough. His clothes were still big-- he was wearing 6-9 month pants, but he seemed more solid when we held him. The true question was going to be whether or not he had gained enough to not only please our doctor, but to give us a peace of mind.
Much to our relief, Connor weighed in today at 19 lbs. Since his last weigh in, he had gained one pound, seven ounces. And our doctor was more than pleased.
I never thought, in a world where petite and thin are in, that I would have to worry so much about how little my little guy was.
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