Friday, October 23, 2009

Reflection

So my Vi is now almost 15 months old. She is still a baby in some ways - likes her bottle at night, still wants her pureed, slightly chunky foods (no texture - and yes we are working hard on this - any ideas?), not too verbal or too much walking. She is such a big girl in some ways too - wanting to climb and play, be stubborn, be in the big kid classroom at school, do things her own way (did you notice stubborn?).

the last time I went into the infant classroom at school, I was in looovvee. The babies are so little, so snuggly, so cute! I need another baby. I'll even confess - we've been trying. (Well, as much trying as a couple that has a husband half that works 70 hour weeks can do).

On a more serious note, I need to accept the fact that there is a very good likelihood that I will not be able to have another baby. That Vi will be an only child. I have had such a long and devastating history of infertility that I need to accept the fact that my fertility is not "magically restored". Being Vi's mom has just given me so much hope and so much love that I can't help but want to add to our family. But I think I have to get my head around (as the Brits would say) that I'm pretty darn lucky already don't you think?

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

I've got the fever...

Vi was lethargic all weekend. As a toddler that never, ever stops and fights any type of restraint with vehemnent opposition, it was a big surprise. She spent most of the day laying on Paul dozing in and out. She felt a big feverish, and I took her temperature under her arm which was 101 (I didn't realize you had to add a degreee to make it 102). I gave her Tylenol and she perked right up after it took effect. On Sunday, she felt warm off and on and I gave her more Tylenol. We went to get family pics and she seemed well. She took a nap on the couch while P worked on his thesis and I ran to the grocery store. When I got home he said that she was just laying there with her eyes open. I walked over and picked her up and her eyes were glazed over and she was burning up. We took her out to the car and took her to URgent Care. Poor baby, I think the cool air felt nice and she started babbling in her cute little way.

At Urgent Care she had a fever of 105 F and was very ill and lethargic. She still tried to fight them off which was a good sign. The fever was borderline for transferring to the Hospital Emergency Room and for admission. I really saw myself spending the night in the Hospital with her. They gave her a bolus of Tylenol and Motrin and 20 minutes later her fever was down to 102, so they let us take her home with strict instructions. It was thought she had Strep Throat or even Swine Flu.

The next morning when I followed up the Pediatrician she said it was a severe ear infection. I was really surprised that there was such a high fever with an ear infection. Poor baby. She is much better and even went to Daycare today.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Tonight is one of those nights when it is hard to be a mother.... it involves, screaming, crying (some by me), biting, tantrums, and poop. Lots of poop on the carpet. Husband working tons of hours this week and someone needs to sent the reserves in.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Vi's first intestinal virus

I have a post about VI finally walking, but it is not completed yet. Yes, she is walking! I almost died when she did it, but mama ended up crying instead.

Tuesday morning, we had to take my car in for a light being out. I was here when P woke up VI and the first thing we noticed was the smell. VI had made poo-poos in the night (she NEVER has done this before) and her diaper was chock full of loose stoool. It was a two person job to clean up. Her stools have become looser all week and now she has full on diarrhea whenever she eats anything - about 5-6 times per day. Poor baby. She seems to be fine, eating well and the like. I called the nurse at the Pediatrician's Office, and she felt it was a stomach virus that could last up to two weeks. She advised the signs of dehydration and said no fruit or veg for a while.

This morning, P had to go to the office for the day. Sigh. Vi and I were going to hit some Mom to Mom sales since the ones today allowed strollers. Vi was sitting in her highchair eating bits of scrambled egg when she turned beet red. Welts and bloches rose up all over her face and her eye started to swell shut. Oh no! I said to P - "did you see her face???" She was done with the egg by now and started drinking her milk. She wasn't having any trouble breathing. I called the Ped and thank goodness that they have emergency hours on Saturday. Her facial redness had faded a LOT by then, but the welts/hives were still visible. Her body was also covered in a rash which she attriubuted to the virus (I'm not so sure) and eczema. THe MD said no milk for a while to heal her intestines, and definately, no eggs! SHe has to go see the allergist next week. SIgh. I bought soy milk and she suggested soy formula for a while, so I"ll see how this goes. She fell asleep on the way home from Trader Joe's and has been sleeping on the couch for an hour; missing lunch.

Frankly, I think she has a milk allergy and this is really not a stomach virus at all.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Fall Trip


Vi at the County Library.

Vi and went up to visit my mother and family last Wednesday, and we came back on Sunday night. It's a four hour drive each way and usually Vi sleeps for three hours of the four and fusses for one hour. She is still rear facing in her carseat even though she is greater than the one year and 20 lbs needed to turn it forward facing. There has been a rash of articles lately saying that leaving forward facing as long as possible is best. However, this new research doesn't take into account that the carseats have not been redesigned for long legs and growing bodies to be rear facing. Her legs are quite cramped. The ride up was okay; I left after half a day of work on Wednesday during her nap time. Unfortunately, I had to stop for gas at the 1.5 hour mark which woke her up resulting in her fussing and whining for the next 2.5 hours.

On the way home, I again left at nap time. She slept for almost 2 hours then woke up and started fussing. When it escalated, I gave her a ton of Cheerios in her car seat and her sippy cup which kept her occupied for almost an additional 30 minutes. Then the all out screaming started approximately 30 minutes from home. But we made it!

It was fairly cool up in Northern Michigan and rainy some days. I took Vi to my childhood Public Library and she played with the toys and books which we both enjoyed. She received loads and loads of attention from family and friends and just thrived on it. My mum and sister have found various toys at garage sales and the like for her, so she had all new toys in an all new environment. She ate well - she can feed herself a few things now. All in all - it was a nice trip. Weather could have been much better, and the ride smoother, but it was nice to get away.