Yes, it really seems like I am. Or rather, that we are. There are definite changes going on...everything from the supremely non-family friendly truck being sold (YAH!!!) to having a doctor lined up to take over our care.
I am so happy that things are going smoothly (touch wood...and then touch it again for good measure). It feels as if our lives for the past year have been one giant game of snakes and ladders...we get a little bit ahead, only to slide back past where we were in the first place. But it seems like it is all working out with this. I mean, yes, we have had a few hiccups along the way, but all in all, it seems to be going along great.
We have our appointment now for getting our family picture done. I am excited about this. I have never had a family portrait done...well, at least not since I was a kid. But nothing that has my family in it.
Yesterday was a super productive day. But man, are my legs sore. I walked so very, very much. And then walked some more. I suppose that I should get used to that, since that is going to be my life from here on out. But still, made for some very sore me. Nothing that a long soak in the tub couldn't fix, though.
And I did manage to get some work done on a scarf that is now overdue. (Ok, I realize that winter is still months away...but it is overdue in the sense that it was a birthday gift, and that birthday has passed.)
Anywho, I suppose I must get back to this work type of stuff that I am expected to do.
ttfn
k
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family. Show all posts
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Bits and Bobs and OMG, I have to go back
Seriously, I have a week and one day left of my leave. (Technically, I have been off of mat leave since the 1st, but I don't go back until next Tuesday.) I'm hating the impending doom of working 9-5 again. I know, I have done it for many years now, but that doesn't make it any easier to deal with. And as much as I would love to just quit and stay home with the little ones, I can't. We have plans. We have plans that need me to have a steady income in order to achieve. (Moving ain't cheap, ya know.)
So with one week left, you would almost assume that I would be able to take the week to relax. Almost. But that would be wrong. I can't. We have 3 doctor appointments and one O/T appointment crammed into this week, in addition to a big school event on Thursday night. :S Just no rest for the wicked, I suppose.
It's eerie, too. In the last few weeks, Riley has become much more mobile. He's finally learned to lift his bum, and we are full on crawling...everywhere. We've barricaded the livingroom off so that he has a great big playpen, but that doesn't mean that he wants to stay there. No, no. He wants to roam farther than that. Always farther than what he has been given. And it is hard to say no, since we want him to develop and work the motor skills that he has fought so hard to develop. He is such a little scam artist, and will lay face down on the ground right in front of the pillow barricade crying...like he has no room to play...every time.
On an upbeat note, we stopped by at the new sitter's place earlier this week, and I was delighted to find out that one of her children was actually a preemie (not to the degree that Riley was, but she understands the "corrected age" thing, and gets that he is over a year, but functions at a 9 month old level). That put me very much at ease. I like that I don't have to explain all of that, and try to make someone understand that he isn't slow, he is just working at the pace that he should be. I had interviewed one sitter, and she flat out stated "he seems to be a little on the slow side...shouldn't he be standing and trying to walk now?" Um, no. Did you not hear me say that he was a corrected age of 8 months...and that his development was a little behind? Making the mother and father feel like they have done something wrong, and that their child is slow and behind is not particularly the way to enamor yourself to them.
Anywho, that is besides the point. I like the girl we have. She is very nice, and was asking a thousand and one questions about both the kids. She watches two other girls that Am is in school with, so that is nice too. She will have others to play with. And she is completely cool with the cloth diapers. For some reason, they still freak some people out.
And, because of the time crunch with me going back to work, I am also going to lose some of my precious knitting time. *Sniff* I am desperately trying to finish off some of the loose end projects that I have. I am currently designing a sweater for myself. I love the vintage sweaters (something akin to this), so am working up a pattern for myself. I found some absolutely fabulous wool at the thrift shop the last time I was there, so I am working with that (it is gloriously soft and feel divine next to the skin). Not sure how it will turn out, but will post pictures when I have made some headway (currently, I have just a little of the back done, and a whole lot of numbers written out...lol...and I am not an artist in any way, shape, or form).
Well, that is all that is really going on. So far, on the moving front, everything seems to be coming together quite nicely (touch wood). So hopefully there will only be a few more months, and we will be off for greener pastures. :)
ttfn,
k
So with one week left, you would almost assume that I would be able to take the week to relax. Almost. But that would be wrong. I can't. We have 3 doctor appointments and one O/T appointment crammed into this week, in addition to a big school event on Thursday night. :S Just no rest for the wicked, I suppose.
It's eerie, too. In the last few weeks, Riley has become much more mobile. He's finally learned to lift his bum, and we are full on crawling...everywhere. We've barricaded the livingroom off so that he has a great big playpen, but that doesn't mean that he wants to stay there. No, no. He wants to roam farther than that. Always farther than what he has been given. And it is hard to say no, since we want him to develop and work the motor skills that he has fought so hard to develop. He is such a little scam artist, and will lay face down on the ground right in front of the pillow barricade crying...like he has no room to play...every time.
On an upbeat note, we stopped by at the new sitter's place earlier this week, and I was delighted to find out that one of her children was actually a preemie (not to the degree that Riley was, but she understands the "corrected age" thing, and gets that he is over a year, but functions at a 9 month old level). That put me very much at ease. I like that I don't have to explain all of that, and try to make someone understand that he isn't slow, he is just working at the pace that he should be. I had interviewed one sitter, and she flat out stated "he seems to be a little on the slow side...shouldn't he be standing and trying to walk now?" Um, no. Did you not hear me say that he was a corrected age of 8 months...and that his development was a little behind? Making the mother and father feel like they have done something wrong, and that their child is slow and behind is not particularly the way to enamor yourself to them.
Anywho, that is besides the point. I like the girl we have. She is very nice, and was asking a thousand and one questions about both the kids. She watches two other girls that Am is in school with, so that is nice too. She will have others to play with. And she is completely cool with the cloth diapers. For some reason, they still freak some people out.
And, because of the time crunch with me going back to work, I am also going to lose some of my precious knitting time. *Sniff* I am desperately trying to finish off some of the loose end projects that I have. I am currently designing a sweater for myself. I love the vintage sweaters (something akin to this), so am working up a pattern for myself. I found some absolutely fabulous wool at the thrift shop the last time I was there, so I am working with that (it is gloriously soft and feel divine next to the skin). Not sure how it will turn out, but will post pictures when I have made some headway (currently, I have just a little of the back done, and a whole lot of numbers written out...lol...and I am not an artist in any way, shape, or form).
Well, that is all that is really going on. So far, on the moving front, everything seems to be coming together quite nicely (touch wood). So hopefully there will only be a few more months, and we will be off for greener pastures. :)
ttfn,
k
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
1st Birthdays are Fun!
Yes, the little man is 1. I can honestly say that I am so very happy to celebrate the first birthday. I know that for many, it represents a lot of negatives...your baby is no longer a little baby, you have to leave said baby to return to work, they are starting to become so much of their own little person. Personally, after everything that he went through, everything that we all dealt with, I think I was near tears of happiness celebrating this birthday.
And, of course, Riley loved his first taste of chocolate:
Ammy had such a good time, too. But I think that is more because she knew Riley couldn't quite open gifts on his own...so who got to sneak in to help out? Well yes, big sisters are good for that sort of thing:
The weather was great...not too warm, not too cold... All in all, it was a really great time. To those who came to celebrate, thank you!
ttfn
k
And, of course, Riley loved his first taste of chocolate:
Ammy had such a good time, too. But I think that is more because she knew Riley couldn't quite open gifts on his own...so who got to sneak in to help out? Well yes, big sisters are good for that sort of thing:
The weather was great...not too warm, not too cold... All in all, it was a really great time. To those who came to celebrate, thank you!
ttfn
k
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Almost There
Wow...I kind of got caught off guard last night when I realized...my little boy is almost a year old. Seriously, at this time last year, I was on strict bedrest, fighting with my body to keep him inside.
I look back at the pictures of him when he was first born, the pictures in which I thought he was the most beautiful thing in the universe, and can't help but cry. So many wires and tubes. So tiny. Such delicate skin.
I don't know how we did it...I don't know how we handled it.
But in 23 days, he will be a year old. We still have battles. I know that. But looking back, he has come along so much. Grown so much. Is so much more than I ever could have imagined.
Now, at 8 months corrected age, he is 20 lbs 9 oz. 18 lbs more than he was at his birth. 18 lbs!
And I can now appreciate the small things so much more. Like being affronted at the fact that I didn't get the chance to sit around knitting him some absolutely adorable (but positively bribe inducing when he is older) things, because I was too busy going to the hospital to see him.
But such is life. And I got something so much more important than that!
But that doesn't stop me from buying baby books. I have a lot of friends who are currently expecting, or have recently just had babies. So I was tickled pink yesterday when I went to my thrift store across the road, and found 3 vintage knitting pattern books (circa 1960s). Two of them are baby ones, and so very, very cute. I plan on having a great deal of fun with them all, eventually...like when I am done some of my current projects.
ttfn
k
I look back at the pictures of him when he was first born, the pictures in which I thought he was the most beautiful thing in the universe, and can't help but cry. So many wires and tubes. So tiny. Such delicate skin.
I don't know how we did it...I don't know how we handled it.
But in 23 days, he will be a year old. We still have battles. I know that. But looking back, he has come along so much. Grown so much. Is so much more than I ever could have imagined.
Now, at 8 months corrected age, he is 20 lbs 9 oz. 18 lbs more than he was at his birth. 18 lbs!
And I can now appreciate the small things so much more. Like being affronted at the fact that I didn't get the chance to sit around knitting him some absolutely adorable (but positively bribe inducing when he is older) things, because I was too busy going to the hospital to see him.
But such is life. And I got something so much more important than that!
But that doesn't stop me from buying baby books. I have a lot of friends who are currently expecting, or have recently just had babies. So I was tickled pink yesterday when I went to my thrift store across the road, and found 3 vintage knitting pattern books (circa 1960s). Two of them are baby ones, and so very, very cute. I plan on having a great deal of fun with them all, eventually...like when I am done some of my current projects.
ttfn
k
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Walking In A Winter Wonderland
Holy delay batman! Sorry, this past week has been one of catch up. But all I gotta say is wow. Just wow. We had such an amazing weekend. Our little person is, of course, the one who took up the most room for the trip to Granny and Grampa's, but such is to be expected, I suppose.
We arrived just in time for check in (4:00 p.m.), and it was beautiful. There was snow on the ground, but it was relatively warm. The cabin was so picturesque:
And this is what greeted us in our room:
The place was so amazingly beautiful. So quiet. We had birds on our deck...even in the snow. From our deck, we overlooked the water. Complete with an ice rink, an igloo (impromptu memento from kidlings who had been up the week before) and an ice fishing hut. The weather was amazing, too. Absolutely everything was amazing about the place. (Yes, I need a thesaurus.)
The hardest part of the cabin to leave:
And I got to go snow shoeing!!!! It was amazingly fun. I thought that we had only been out for about 20-30 minutes...we had been out for 1.5 hours! It was great. And there were so many stars! I was in heaven. But damn did my legs hurt afterwards. And that is why I loved coming back to a jacuzzi tub. So nice. And probably saved my legs (and the rest of me, for that matter). Here's one of the only pictures of the two of us out together...lol...and of course, it was after we both made snow angels after dropping while shoeing:
Saturday we had a pretty relaxed day...went out for a walk, skated (I hadn't been in about 14 years...and it didn't help my nerves any that some lady had fallen the night before, so there was a hefty patch of blood on the ice), went to a small yarn shop (yes, my hubby knows me so damn well) and went out ice fishing. That evening, after a nap (a NAP!!!), we went tubing. That was great. It was pure ice. And since it was, there were very few people there. In the course of 2 hours, we went down at least 30-40 times. And fast. The manager clocked us at 80 kms. Weeee! (To those interested, yes, my tailbone was bruised and swollen from hitting the ice...apparently I am light and the guys there were physically lifting me up to spin me down the hill.)
Sunday we were greeted with our much missed little ones (who barely registered that we were gone) and a nice family meal. It seems that they were bigger when we got back:
...and one just wouldn't stay still.
All in all, the weekend was phenomenal.
So, what is new in the world of knitting, you may ask (or you may not, in which case, I am going to tell you anyway)?
Well, this is the wonderful sock yarn that I picked up while up north:
It's like halloween in yarn form!
I'm still working on my Zelda, but I did manage to get some work done on it:
My current addiction, Midsomer Murders, is helping with getting some of my knitting done (I am doing a few smaller things that require little to no thought...and only one colour at a time), so poor Zelda keeps moving to the back burner. :(
Well, hope everyone is doing well...
ttfn
k
We arrived just in time for check in (4:00 p.m.), and it was beautiful. There was snow on the ground, but it was relatively warm. The cabin was so picturesque:
And this is what greeted us in our room:
The place was so amazingly beautiful. So quiet. We had birds on our deck...even in the snow. From our deck, we overlooked the water. Complete with an ice rink, an igloo (impromptu memento from kidlings who had been up the week before) and an ice fishing hut. The weather was amazing, too. Absolutely everything was amazing about the place. (Yes, I need a thesaurus.)
The hardest part of the cabin to leave:
And I got to go snow shoeing!!!! It was amazingly fun. I thought that we had only been out for about 20-30 minutes...we had been out for 1.5 hours! It was great. And there were so many stars! I was in heaven. But damn did my legs hurt afterwards. And that is why I loved coming back to a jacuzzi tub. So nice. And probably saved my legs (and the rest of me, for that matter). Here's one of the only pictures of the two of us out together...lol...and of course, it was after we both made snow angels after dropping while shoeing:
Saturday we had a pretty relaxed day...went out for a walk, skated (I hadn't been in about 14 years...and it didn't help my nerves any that some lady had fallen the night before, so there was a hefty patch of blood on the ice), went to a small yarn shop (yes, my hubby knows me so damn well) and went out ice fishing. That evening, after a nap (a NAP!!!), we went tubing. That was great. It was pure ice. And since it was, there were very few people there. In the course of 2 hours, we went down at least 30-40 times. And fast. The manager clocked us at 80 kms. Weeee! (To those interested, yes, my tailbone was bruised and swollen from hitting the ice...apparently I am light and the guys there were physically lifting me up to spin me down the hill.)
Sunday we were greeted with our much missed little ones (who barely registered that we were gone) and a nice family meal. It seems that they were bigger when we got back:
...and one just wouldn't stay still.All in all, the weekend was phenomenal.
So, what is new in the world of knitting, you may ask (or you may not, in which case, I am going to tell you anyway)?
Well, this is the wonderful sock yarn that I picked up while up north:
It's like halloween in yarn form!
I'm still working on my Zelda, but I did manage to get some work done on it:
My current addiction, Midsomer Murders, is helping with getting some of my knitting done (I am doing a few smaller things that require little to no thought...and only one colour at a time), so poor Zelda keeps moving to the back burner. :(
Well, hope everyone is doing well...
ttfn
k
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Drumroll Please
That's right...two more medals for little KB.
I also have finished all the knitting for my long neglected cardigan. The sleeves are currently drying and I will be sewing them on later today. Then...dare I say it...the cardi will be complete. (I already bought these sweet wood buttons from, of all places, the convenience store across the road.)
I am thinking, since I now only have left the OpArt blanket left (seriously, only one WIP...what is that???), I am going to start the designing of Riley's sweater. That should be a fun one.
For all the knit-like-type-people out there, you may find this interesting. My nan and I are pretty close. We talk at least once a week (she is a snowbird). The other day, I got a call from her completely out of the blue (usually we talk Sunday afternoons). Her first (and only) question when I answered the phone: "What gauge do you get when you knit Riley a sweater in yarn that's a 4?" She had just casted on a sweater and it seemed a little off. So she asks me the average gauge that I use on a sweater for Riley, and we had this long conversation with me converting her gauge based on other items I have made for Riley. Definitely one of our more interesting conversations.
In other news, I finally got my new stroller. Ever since Riley has grown out of his car seat (which was a long while back), I have had a huge hate on for our stroller. It is big, bulky, awkward, and I have to split in two pieces to get it to fit in the trunk, where it then takes up all the space in the trunk. HATE. IT. So I have been looking around for a new one. Wanted a good one, with a basket and cup holder for me, and 5 point harness and reclining for Riley. Those were really my only requirements. I looked around, read opinions, etc., etc. I finally found one the other day that I really liked. I like the colour (red), I liked the look of it, I loved how easily it maneuvered. It was wonderful. (For those who are interested, it is the Bily Kingston Stroller - oddly I couldn't really find anything about it, despite looking high and low, except that Bily stands for Because I Love You.)
It was a fair price ($70, on sale from $110 - go Zellers go), and folds up pretty compactly. It feels very sturdy, and Riley loved the one I put him in at the store. The assembly was pretty easy (the wheels and brakes...that's all...just the wheels and brakes), so it took no time at all, relatively speaking.
Then I noticed this:
Does anyone else notice the phallic nature of the handles? I mean, ok, I understand they were going for a cute "antennae" sort of handle, but come on! Did no one notice this during production? (and yes, I am going to have to knit some ribbed handles...lol...)
ttfn
k
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Why doesn't my meatloaf look like the picture?
Seriously, why does my food never look like it does in the cookbook? I guess that is a mystery for the ages.
Anywho, this past week Am started swimming on a weeknight (gotta say, I love it...she is nice and tired and easy to get to bed that night). It is a repeat of the Swimmer 1, but she still has issues with jumping in the water, and with getting her face wet. She is doing better, since she is starting to cup water to her face in the bath, so I am hoping that we won't see as much of the resistance to certain activities this time around that we saw in the fall program. She is also super excited that her sweater is almost all done. At every stage of it, she has wanted to try it on, even when it was in pieces. Here it is looking almost completely like a sweater:
Only thing left to do is put the buttons on. And block it. I usually leave blocking until the very end, as I find there to be no point in blocking it while it is still in pieces. Shapes change when the seaming is done. Meh...is my opinion.
I've also gotten about halfway done the red version of the cabled sweater for Riley. This picture was taken a few days ago, but I love how bright the red is. So much brighter than what it seems all wound up in a ball:
The Ravolympics start in a few weeks time, and I think I have figured out what I plan on making for that. Wanna do my BKG team proud. :) So, the militia coat that I have been talking about for a while is what I plan on entering. The rules are that you can't start until the torch is lit. I have swatched (which is allowed), and have everything ready to go. Now just to figure out what I will do until then. I mean, I have been doing really good with the finishing up UFOs lately, and only really have one or two small things left, i.e., the match to this (which is at the heel now):
In non-knitting related news, I have to say that I still find it very amusing that everyone seems to get differing advice and on differing degrees. As Riley is a preemie, I find myself often reading the blogs of other preemie mothers (not that I am saying those preemies don't have dads, but I haven't ever seen a blog by a preemie father in which they discuss the challenges and such of dealing with a preemie). And it endlessly amuses me, and would endlessly confuse me if I took everything everyone's doctor said to heart, that everyone seems to get different feedback about similar or even identical things. For sure, there are things that are baby specific. For example, I know many preemie parents who don't have to deal with the breathing and lung issues, or the kidney issue, or any issues at all. I know others who deal with brain bleeds and heart problems. It is a smorgasbord of health issues.
But I find it interesting that certain specialists that preemie parents all see (i.e. the neonatalogists at the follow ups), ones that you would figure would all agree on things, don't. I was reading through various blogs today, and in the course of reading 4 different ones, I came across the following opinions respecting exersaucers, bumbo chairs and bath chairs:
- Our doctor says they are fine in moderation, as they help our daughter with stretching and reaching;
- Our neonatalogist would kick our ass if we dared to put our daughter in an exersaucer, but she is fine with the bumbo chair;
- The people at the follow up said not to put him in any of those types of contraptions, at all;
and our follow up, we got the "all of these things are bad and horrible and will stunt him in learning to walk and/or hold himself up". This wasn't just their theory with Riley, but with all children, preterm or not. Now, personally speaking *only*, I used the exersaucer with my daughter. She didn't want anything at all to do with the bouncy chairs. She loved the exersaucer, and it was wonderful for me to actually be able to get things done (i.e. I could put her in it with me while I was in the kitchen doing dishes...she was happy and amused, and I got to eat off clean dishes for another few days). And the other day, just since I desperately needed to get in and organize Riley's room, I stuck him in the one that I have for him. Well, lo and behold, he loved it. There are objects above him, so he was actually reaching up to play with them. He was interacting with the music pieces, and was actually holding himself up (meaning that he had his feet flat on the bottom of it and was actively turning himself around AND holding his body weight up to the degree that those items allow them to). With Riley's torso muscle issues, he already has issues with holding himself up, and even if we are there to support him, he still finds it difficult, especially if you try to get him to grab at things or interact with anything at all. Truthfully, he was only in it for maybe an hour, but in that hour, he did more of his OT therapies than I can usually get him through in an hour on our mats.
Now I am very much an "if they are happy, there is nothing wrong with what you are doing" type of parent, so I am thinking that so long as he is happy and it is working him (meaning he is still doing all the stretching and reaching and he is actively placing his feet on the ground instead of letting the seat hold him up 100%), I am giving up on the various reports that I see/hear/read. If he wants his exersaucer and to use it too, he can. No, he won't live in it, and yes, we will still get down and do the OT exercises, but it is a nice sub, especially since I am terrified that he will bounce himself over in the chair (which he seems to hate with a passion now and bounces that thing to the point that it actually comes off the ground...yep, no more bouncy chair for you, little man).
Tis all.
ttfn
k.
Anywho, this past week Am started swimming on a weeknight (gotta say, I love it...she is nice and tired and easy to get to bed that night). It is a repeat of the Swimmer 1, but she still has issues with jumping in the water, and with getting her face wet. She is doing better, since she is starting to cup water to her face in the bath, so I am hoping that we won't see as much of the resistance to certain activities this time around that we saw in the fall program. She is also super excited that her sweater is almost all done. At every stage of it, she has wanted to try it on, even when it was in pieces. Here it is looking almost completely like a sweater:
Only thing left to do is put the buttons on. And block it. I usually leave blocking until the very end, as I find there to be no point in blocking it while it is still in pieces. Shapes change when the seaming is done. Meh...is my opinion.
I've also gotten about halfway done the red version of the cabled sweater for Riley. This picture was taken a few days ago, but I love how bright the red is. So much brighter than what it seems all wound up in a ball:
The Ravolympics start in a few weeks time, and I think I have figured out what I plan on making for that. Wanna do my BKG team proud. :) So, the militia coat that I have been talking about for a while is what I plan on entering. The rules are that you can't start until the torch is lit. I have swatched (which is allowed), and have everything ready to go. Now just to figure out what I will do until then. I mean, I have been doing really good with the finishing up UFOs lately, and only really have one or two small things left, i.e., the match to this (which is at the heel now):
In non-knitting related news, I have to say that I still find it very amusing that everyone seems to get differing advice and on differing degrees. As Riley is a preemie, I find myself often reading the blogs of other preemie mothers (not that I am saying those preemies don't have dads, but I haven't ever seen a blog by a preemie father in which they discuss the challenges and such of dealing with a preemie). And it endlessly amuses me, and would endlessly confuse me if I took everything everyone's doctor said to heart, that everyone seems to get different feedback about similar or even identical things. For sure, there are things that are baby specific. For example, I know many preemie parents who don't have to deal with the breathing and lung issues, or the kidney issue, or any issues at all. I know others who deal with brain bleeds and heart problems. It is a smorgasbord of health issues.
But I find it interesting that certain specialists that preemie parents all see (i.e. the neonatalogists at the follow ups), ones that you would figure would all agree on things, don't. I was reading through various blogs today, and in the course of reading 4 different ones, I came across the following opinions respecting exersaucers, bumbo chairs and bath chairs:
- Our doctor says they are fine in moderation, as they help our daughter with stretching and reaching;
- Our neonatalogist would kick our ass if we dared to put our daughter in an exersaucer, but she is fine with the bumbo chair;
- The people at the follow up said not to put him in any of those types of contraptions, at all;
and our follow up, we got the "all of these things are bad and horrible and will stunt him in learning to walk and/or hold himself up". This wasn't just their theory with Riley, but with all children, preterm or not. Now, personally speaking *only*, I used the exersaucer with my daughter. She didn't want anything at all to do with the bouncy chairs. She loved the exersaucer, and it was wonderful for me to actually be able to get things done (i.e. I could put her in it with me while I was in the kitchen doing dishes...she was happy and amused, and I got to eat off clean dishes for another few days). And the other day, just since I desperately needed to get in and organize Riley's room, I stuck him in the one that I have for him. Well, lo and behold, he loved it. There are objects above him, so he was actually reaching up to play with them. He was interacting with the music pieces, and was actually holding himself up (meaning that he had his feet flat on the bottom of it and was actively turning himself around AND holding his body weight up to the degree that those items allow them to). With Riley's torso muscle issues, he already has issues with holding himself up, and even if we are there to support him, he still finds it difficult, especially if you try to get him to grab at things or interact with anything at all. Truthfully, he was only in it for maybe an hour, but in that hour, he did more of his OT therapies than I can usually get him through in an hour on our mats.
Now I am very much an "if they are happy, there is nothing wrong with what you are doing" type of parent, so I am thinking that so long as he is happy and it is working him (meaning he is still doing all the stretching and reaching and he is actively placing his feet on the ground instead of letting the seat hold him up 100%), I am giving up on the various reports that I see/hear/read. If he wants his exersaucer and to use it too, he can. No, he won't live in it, and yes, we will still get down and do the OT exercises, but it is a nice sub, especially since I am terrified that he will bounce himself over in the chair (which he seems to hate with a passion now and bounces that thing to the point that it actually comes off the ground...yep, no more bouncy chair for you, little man).
Tis all.
ttfn
k.
Friday, January 8, 2010
Well, um, Happy New Year (less 8 days)
Yeah, I am a bit behind in the new year wishes. But I don't mind. (If you do, so sorry to hear.)
It really and truly has been such a busy past few weeks. My little angel, yet again, broke a pair of glasses on the last day of school. What wonderful luck 2009 had for us! I can honestly say that I am not unhappy to see it go in the least. While it did give me much to be thankful for, I think I would prefer to have a quiet, dull, uneventful year this time.
Our little critters had a blast on Christmas. Am loved all the goodies Santa bestowed upon her:
And Riley, well, he enjoyed the paper...and the boxes:
We actually (somehow) had a relaxing holiday break. Not overly sure how the heck we pulled that one off, but it was great.
Other than that, things have just been motoring along as per the norm. We picked up Am's new glasses yesterday. They are cute as all sin. Little pink wire frames. She no longer looks completely like my clone, but I think I will survive.
And in the world of needles and yarn, I have been having a blast going through my stash. In the last few weeks, I made four staggered rib scarves for the men in my life. Five non-scarf scarves for the ladies in my life. A coffee mug cozie. A matching sleeve to fit my Timmies cups (extra large...I'm a pansy and always find that the cup is too hot).
A second mexican wrestling mask (Brian has been bugging me for one ever since I finished Tony's - and yes, that is Brian in it):
A few hats and booties for my local hospital's preemie group. This sweater which I am now completely and utterly in love with (and not just because of the handsome young man in it):
Who'da thunk he could pull off lime green? I am thinking that I will likely have to make a few more of these, since it took all of about 2 days to make this up, and less than 2 balls of yarn (Bernat Softee Chunky - on sale at Walmart - for those who are interested).
I am currently working on a super sweet sweater for Am (pink and purple...what a shock), which I haven't yet taken any pictures of, and cannot seem to find a link for anywhere. It's just a simple cardi, anywho, with a few zippered pockets.
I also decided that with all this "other person" knitting I have been doing lately, I am finally going to start something for myself. So, hopefully, later today I will be casting on the Militia Coat. Wee...I love something big for myself. (I admit, I haven't been completely altruistic lately...there was a hat for myself, and the coffee related stuff.)
Anywho, little man is calling. Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday time.
ttfn
k.
It really and truly has been such a busy past few weeks. My little angel, yet again, broke a pair of glasses on the last day of school. What wonderful luck 2009 had for us! I can honestly say that I am not unhappy to see it go in the least. While it did give me much to be thankful for, I think I would prefer to have a quiet, dull, uneventful year this time.
Our little critters had a blast on Christmas. Am loved all the goodies Santa bestowed upon her:
And Riley, well, he enjoyed the paper...and the boxes:
We actually (somehow) had a relaxing holiday break. Not overly sure how the heck we pulled that one off, but it was great.
Other than that, things have just been motoring along as per the norm. We picked up Am's new glasses yesterday. They are cute as all sin. Little pink wire frames. She no longer looks completely like my clone, but I think I will survive.
And in the world of needles and yarn, I have been having a blast going through my stash. In the last few weeks, I made four staggered rib scarves for the men in my life. Five non-scarf scarves for the ladies in my life. A coffee mug cozie. A matching sleeve to fit my Timmies cups (extra large...I'm a pansy and always find that the cup is too hot).
A second mexican wrestling mask (Brian has been bugging me for one ever since I finished Tony's - and yes, that is Brian in it):
A few hats and booties for my local hospital's preemie group. This sweater which I am now completely and utterly in love with (and not just because of the handsome young man in it):
Who'da thunk he could pull off lime green? I am thinking that I will likely have to make a few more of these, since it took all of about 2 days to make this up, and less than 2 balls of yarn (Bernat Softee Chunky - on sale at Walmart - for those who are interested).
I am currently working on a super sweet sweater for Am (pink and purple...what a shock), which I haven't yet taken any pictures of, and cannot seem to find a link for anywhere. It's just a simple cardi, anywho, with a few zippered pockets.
I also decided that with all this "other person" knitting I have been doing lately, I am finally going to start something for myself. So, hopefully, later today I will be casting on the Militia Coat. Wee...I love something big for myself. (I admit, I haven't been completely altruistic lately...there was a hat for myself, and the coffee related stuff.)
Anywho, little man is calling. Hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday time.
ttfn
k.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Madness, I Say
Yeah, that is sort of how the last week or so has felt. Unfortunately, both my daughter and I got the flu last week. What a write off! I was horrible, but in typical motherly fashion, recovered after about 2 days of being completely useless. Thankfully, Riley managed not to get it (both Ammy and I avoided him like the plague during the first few days, and after that, I wore a mask and made sure to wash my hands about every 5 minutes or so). So, needless to say, my birthday went by very quietly. I spent the day and night at home with my little ones, catching up on some Christmas knitting.
So far, I have these done:
They are my little non-scarf scarves (Fourteen, by name). I am in lourve with this thing. Not only is it a quick knit, but it is really warm and comfy.
I also got around to doing/finishing a few other things while I had nowhere to go and nothing else to do:
Sheldon (the cutest little turtle):
New hat:
There are a few other odds and sods, but I haven't really gotten around to completely finishing them (i.e. they still need the ends weaved in...lawd how I hate weaving in ends).
Oh, and in very exciting news, last Tuesday, Riley's belly button fell off!!! Yes, this was a super exciting thing (7+ months in the making). It also means that he won't have to go for surgery for the urachal sinus, since it is no longer causing any problems. We are still waiting for urology to get back to us, as well as the infant development centre, but at the moment, things are looking up (touch wood). And we are now down to a somewhat normal regime of appointments. We have monthly RSV clinic from now until April, and our regular family doctor appointments (yes, we got him switched over), but other than that, I don't think we have any more crazy 6 appointments in 8 days type of weeks any time soon.
Well, off to make Christmas shopping lists (we are heading out to the samko meiko warehouse thing this weekend). Wish us luck with that. :S
ttfn
So far, I have these done:
They are my little non-scarf scarves (Fourteen, by name). I am in lourve with this thing. Not only is it a quick knit, but it is really warm and comfy.
I also got around to doing/finishing a few other things while I had nowhere to go and nothing else to do:
Sheldon (the cutest little turtle):
New hat:
There are a few other odds and sods, but I haven't really gotten around to completely finishing them (i.e. they still need the ends weaved in...lawd how I hate weaving in ends).
Oh, and in very exciting news, last Tuesday, Riley's belly button fell off!!! Yes, this was a super exciting thing (7+ months in the making). It also means that he won't have to go for surgery for the urachal sinus, since it is no longer causing any problems. We are still waiting for urology to get back to us, as well as the infant development centre, but at the moment, things are looking up (touch wood). And we are now down to a somewhat normal regime of appointments. We have monthly RSV clinic from now until April, and our regular family doctor appointments (yes, we got him switched over), but other than that, I don't think we have any more crazy 6 appointments in 8 days type of weeks any time soon.
Well, off to make Christmas shopping lists (we are heading out to the samko meiko warehouse thing this weekend). Wish us luck with that. :S
ttfn
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Love These Things
So, it may just be a honeymoon phase, but I am super duper in love with these cloth diapers. We have also ordered a bunch of the KaWaii brand AIO pocket diapers which should arrive beginning of next week. Our total so far for all our diapers (which is - including the ones to arrive next week - 18 diapers and 40 inserts) is less than $300.
Beyond that, though, I love the feel and leak stoppageness of these things. Not only are they super cute, but they really do their job. They fit Riley wonderfully. And doubling the insert overnight has worked perfectly. So far (touch wood) we haven't had any leaks...at all.
And let me tell you, the softness of the microfleece lining is amazing. I am thinking I may have to start putting a microfleece lining in all my underwear! Damn kid is lucky as all sin to have that up against his little bottom all day. And it really does pull the moisture away from him and on to the insert.
Well, that is it for my raving. But check him out, being all happy with them:
I have also finished one of the glove/mittens for the hubby. (You know, the strange mittens with the first finger as a glove? Ya, those.) Ammy has been proudly sporting hers, and another little girl that I made them for has been declining to touch any one or thing with hers on, so I am guessing so far, so good. Oddly, I haven't even thought of making myself any. I am working on the sleeve for my cardigan (pictured below), and I guess I will make a pair for myself when that is done.
I also had a wonderful time hitting up the thrift shops this week. Riley is growing like a weed (is actually in 6 month clothing now), and Ammy seems to be in a new size every week. I bought her a pair of boots for winter (oddly enough, they are the "Riley" boot from walmart), and ended up getting the size 13. 13!!! Seriously? My main intent when I hit up the ValuVillage and local TS was to try to find a snow suit for Ammy (I don't want to spend $50 on something that will only last 1 season) and some warm winter sleepers for Riley. Ended up with several warm winter sleepers for Riley (the thick fleecey ones) for $2 each, and a few really cute outfits that I just couldn't resist (they were on sale at VV, and worked out to be about $3 each, so I can't complain in the least). I also got Am several pairs of pants, since we seem to have hit flood season. Couldn't find a snowsuit (apparently thrift shops understand that Christmas and Halloween stuff shouldn't be out at the same time) nor any pjs, but will likely go on another expedition in a few weeks time.
That is really all that is new and exciting, boys and girls.
ttfn
k.
Side Note: Most people don't realize this, and I know that I never noticed this before, but on the disposable diapers there is a notation that all fecal matter should be dumped into the toilet and flushed prior to throwing the diaper away. Do you do that? Do you know anyone who does?
Beyond that, though, I love the feel and leak stoppageness of these things. Not only are they super cute, but they really do their job. They fit Riley wonderfully. And doubling the insert overnight has worked perfectly. So far (touch wood) we haven't had any leaks...at all.
And let me tell you, the softness of the microfleece lining is amazing. I am thinking I may have to start putting a microfleece lining in all my underwear! Damn kid is lucky as all sin to have that up against his little bottom all day. And it really does pull the moisture away from him and on to the insert.
Well, that is it for my raving. But check him out, being all happy with them:
I have also finished one of the glove/mittens for the hubby. (You know, the strange mittens with the first finger as a glove? Ya, those.) Ammy has been proudly sporting hers, and another little girl that I made them for has been declining to touch any one or thing with hers on, so I am guessing so far, so good. Oddly, I haven't even thought of making myself any. I am working on the sleeve for my cardigan (pictured below), and I guess I will make a pair for myself when that is done.
I also had a wonderful time hitting up the thrift shops this week. Riley is growing like a weed (is actually in 6 month clothing now), and Ammy seems to be in a new size every week. I bought her a pair of boots for winter (oddly enough, they are the "Riley" boot from walmart), and ended up getting the size 13. 13!!! Seriously? My main intent when I hit up the ValuVillage and local TS was to try to find a snow suit for Ammy (I don't want to spend $50 on something that will only last 1 season) and some warm winter sleepers for Riley. Ended up with several warm winter sleepers for Riley (the thick fleecey ones) for $2 each, and a few really cute outfits that I just couldn't resist (they were on sale at VV, and worked out to be about $3 each, so I can't complain in the least). I also got Am several pairs of pants, since we seem to have hit flood season. Couldn't find a snowsuit (apparently thrift shops understand that Christmas and Halloween stuff shouldn't be out at the same time) nor any pjs, but will likely go on another expedition in a few weeks time.
That is really all that is new and exciting, boys and girls.
ttfn
k.
Side Note: Most people don't realize this, and I know that I never noticed this before, but on the disposable diapers there is a notation that all fecal matter should be dumped into the toilet and flushed prior to throwing the diaper away. Do you do that? Do you know anyone who does?
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Changes and Other Events
Well, the wedding went great. Ok, our JP thought it was at 4, so didn't show up until 3:30 (the wedding was supposed to be at 3). BUT, the weather turned out to be great...not too hot, not too cold, and not a raincloud in the sky (after 1:00 p.m.).
Both the children were wonderful! Ammy looked adorable:
As did Riley:
And I realized that that was 2 weeks ago. But good lawd it has been a very busy two weeks.
After the wedding, we ended up staying down at the Royal York (won a free room from a 680 prize pack that my husband won). And we had room service. It was awesome. Sadly, though, my fries were undercooked and unedible. Really, that was extremely sad, given where we were. But the Alberta Steak Sandwich we had was amazing. As was the french onion soup (I love me some french onion soup).
Riley ended up being off his oxygen from the Wednesday before the wedding to the Tuesday after. We put him back on since we didn't want to get into any trouble with our RT about how long he'd been off (and he did awesome the entire time...especially with all the man-handling he was subjected to the night of the wedding). And then, to boot, our RT didn't come by...she called instead. I told her about Riley and how long he'd been off and that the only reason we put him back on was to avoid getting in trouble with her. She decided that we should give him a break for 24 hours, and take him back off for a week, if we were comfortable. So we left him on until Wednesday morning, and promptly took him back off. Which is how he still is right now. Off his oxygen, and rocking it.
And, of course, Ammy started Grade 1 on Tuesday. That was a little bit of a heartbreaker for me. She couldn't have cared less. But thankfully she remembered to turn and wave at me while she disappeared through the doors that would carry her on to her future. *sniff**sniff*
I discovered that, while I always just thought that it was normal with her, since we read a lot and all, she is "very advanced and ahead of all the other children" in her class given that she has the ability to read on her own. And not just "Dick and Jane" type books, but actual books. We got to the library at least once every 2 weeks and take out a bunch of books. Ones that she reads. Usually ones like the Little Miss books, and Dora books. She likes books. But hey, bonus if that makes her advanced. At least I know that she won't be struggling with it (touch wood).
Today we start jazz. Yes, jazz. I decided that she is now old enough to handle more than one weekend activity, and since I am still in the SAHM phase, I have the time and energy too. So I signed her up for Beginner Jazz at Futures Gymnastics (about 5 minutes up the road). I spoke with the lady who works there about which dance would be best for her, since she is high energy, but easily distracted, so I was thinking that ballet *might* not be the best choice for her (what, with the discipline and slow, repetitive movements), and we talked about jazz. She told me that it will likely be ideal for her, since it is a very high energy genre, but that at this stage, it wouldn't matter overmuch. Still, jazz it is.
My daughter's school also does the typical "we are looking for parent volunteers" thing. I was looking into it since, well, I do have time. Well, they sent home a notice about it the other day, and apparently I would have to pay for one of the long form criminal record checks in order to apply (I understand why they want them, but if I am reading this correctly, these are the ones that are, like, $55...seriously, I am a SAHM...where am I going to come up with the $55 just so I can volunteer to help them out??).
Also, Peel Region (I understand it is the entire region, and not just our school) has swtiched to a "two nutrition breaks" thing instead of a morning and afternoon recess and a lunch hour. I hate this. I really do. And it seems like there are so many conflicting reasons floating around about why. First off, I hate that they are given these 2 40 minute breaks. One is at 10:30 a.m. and the other is at 12:55 p.m. 10:30 a.m. is too early for a full lunch, and by 12:55 p.m., my daughter is starving. She is confused by this completely, as am I. One of the apparent reasons for the change is that "kids learn better when they eat periodically through the day". Um, so getting rid of the 2 different snacking times that are evenly spaced through the day is the way to achieve this??? Yes, I plan on finding out from the region what the basis was for this change and if they are only doing it as a trial. I personally think it is beyond asinine. Seriously...show me the work place where you get 2 lunch hours. If school is supposed to be about prepping kids for the future, show me the work place that does that, please.
Anywho, that is about all. I have to go get my little dancer fed, cleaned and dressed.
ttfn
k
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Oh Whoa
So, this morning we have our first of many specialist follow ups down at Sick Kids hospital. Fun fun fun. And what makes it more fun, you may be asking yourself, since the drive down to Toronto through horrible traffic for someone who hates downtown driving might not be enough for you? Well, there is the fact that right on our referral form it clearly states "please be prepared to wait at least 2 hours". Um? What? Why not just book me an appointment 2 hours later than the one that I have been given, and actually, I don't know, let me in at that time?
I suppose that would be too easy.
Anywho, we are off to the immunology clinic today. They want to check him out before we meet with the surgeon next week to make sure that the urachal sinus hasn't caused him any additional problems or been the cause of any additional problems. So I suppose it is a necessary evil.
This month is just going to be one of too much. I have that appointment today; Ammy's 6th birthday on Friday (6...when the hell did that happen???); her birthday party on Saturday; Monday is our meeting with the reception hall director and cook; Tuesday Tony is heading down to Buffalo for a prize pack thing that he won which includes him going to the Bills training camp for the day while I take Riley to his surgery clinic appointment; the following Monday is Ammy's annual physical with Riley's pediatric follow up on the Tuesday; that Friday the out-laws fly in; and, of course, the wedding on Saturday. Yeah, it's going to be a little busy.
There are still a thousand and one things that need to be done for the wedding which is, as you can see from the countdown, 16 days away...and I have no clue when I will be able to get to them all. I finally finished the favors, but still need the tags for them. I also still need to get the centrepieces and all the flowers. :S I think I should make a list.
Anywho, off to my waiting period. :)
ttfn
k.
I suppose that would be too easy.
Anywho, we are off to the immunology clinic today. They want to check him out before we meet with the surgeon next week to make sure that the urachal sinus hasn't caused him any additional problems or been the cause of any additional problems. So I suppose it is a necessary evil.
This month is just going to be one of too much. I have that appointment today; Ammy's 6th birthday on Friday (6...when the hell did that happen???); her birthday party on Saturday; Monday is our meeting with the reception hall director and cook; Tuesday Tony is heading down to Buffalo for a prize pack thing that he won which includes him going to the Bills training camp for the day while I take Riley to his surgery clinic appointment; the following Monday is Ammy's annual physical with Riley's pediatric follow up on the Tuesday; that Friday the out-laws fly in; and, of course, the wedding on Saturday. Yeah, it's going to be a little busy.
There are still a thousand and one things that need to be done for the wedding which is, as you can see from the countdown, 16 days away...and I have no clue when I will be able to get to them all. I finally finished the favors, but still need the tags for them. I also still need to get the centrepieces and all the flowers. :S I think I should make a list.
Anywho, off to my waiting period. :)
ttfn
k.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Busy Beaver Says...
So Riley had his first pediatrician appointment yesterday. Everything went well. He gained 2 oz. over the weekend since he has been home, so no worries on that front. Everything else seems AOK with his health, other than the oxygen, of course. And, since I have been playing around with the new photo thingy on the computer, I thought I would yet again insert loverly pictures of my little man (all prepped out):
In two weeks, my two week old will be going for his four month old shots. Yeah, that sounds really messed up. It was really interesting to hear our pediatrician trying to explain to someone who is shadowing him that although Riley is two weeks old corrected, he was born in April, and is therefore three and half months old.
Ammy came home from a super fun filled weekend with Granny and Gramps.
These are both from the petting zoo...baby piglet and camel...sweet! (They had a llama, but alas, she did not even get me any llama hair to make into wool...some people!)
Swimming like a superstar:
In other news, my shoes died. Ok, maybe fell apart and died a disgraceful death would be more appropriate. They soles of them have been falling apart for a while (damn rain puddles), and the straps no longer velcroed together...and now the tongue completely came out AND the small strip of sole that kept the water from poring in has come out. So, sneaking around on eBay, I found these:
They are slip ons (see the small back part on the heel??), and they appear super comfy. I have heard some good things about volatile, with the exception that they tend to size a little small, so I got one size larger. These ones were actually on clearance in one of the eBay stores, so even after conversion and shipping, they cost me less than $20.00. Perfect. Cheap, comfy, slip ons. What more could I ask for?
And since I get bored without things to do, and love trying new things (plus the fact that I cannot ever seem to just pop on to eBay for just one thing without looking around and ogling a thousand other things), I got myself this:
For those of you who know what this is, kudos, and I am sure that you will delight in reading my loverly upcoming frustrations in connection with it. For those who don't, this is a drop spindle and fibre. I am going to teach myself how to spin wool. :) I love the colour combo of the "pumpkin patch" bag, which is what this is. I don't know, there is just something awesome about greens and oranges and browns and yellows.
Anywho, that is about all. Currently working on my PLAR portfolio, which will help me to obtain credits for personal life experience, as I am planning on returning to school next year (hopefully).
Tis all, and till next time.
ttfn
k
In two weeks, my two week old will be going for his four month old shots. Yeah, that sounds really messed up. It was really interesting to hear our pediatrician trying to explain to someone who is shadowing him that although Riley is two weeks old corrected, he was born in April, and is therefore three and half months old.
Ammy came home from a super fun filled weekend with Granny and Gramps.
These are both from the petting zoo...baby piglet and camel...sweet! (They had a llama, but alas, she did not even get me any llama hair to make into wool...some people!)
Swimming like a superstar:
In other news, my shoes died. Ok, maybe fell apart and died a disgraceful death would be more appropriate. They soles of them have been falling apart for a while (damn rain puddles), and the straps no longer velcroed together...and now the tongue completely came out AND the small strip of sole that kept the water from poring in has come out. So, sneaking around on eBay, I found these:
They are slip ons (see the small back part on the heel??), and they appear super comfy. I have heard some good things about volatile, with the exception that they tend to size a little small, so I got one size larger. These ones were actually on clearance in one of the eBay stores, so even after conversion and shipping, they cost me less than $20.00. Perfect. Cheap, comfy, slip ons. What more could I ask for?
And since I get bored without things to do, and love trying new things (plus the fact that I cannot ever seem to just pop on to eBay for just one thing without looking around and ogling a thousand other things), I got myself this:
For those of you who know what this is, kudos, and I am sure that you will delight in reading my loverly upcoming frustrations in connection with it. For those who don't, this is a drop spindle and fibre. I am going to teach myself how to spin wool. :) I love the colour combo of the "pumpkin patch" bag, which is what this is. I don't know, there is just something awesome about greens and oranges and browns and yellows.
Anywho, that is about all. Currently working on my PLAR portfolio, which will help me to obtain credits for personal life experience, as I am planning on returning to school next year (hopefully).
Tis all, and till next time.
ttfn
k
Friday, July 10, 2009
Home, Home on the Range
So, we started our day off with the visit from the oxygen people. Got our 3 tanks, and were shown how to work them. Good lord but they are super sensitive.
And, since the only issue *might* have been if he didn't gain weight without the fortifier, I called in to find out how his weigh in went. He gained 66 grams! Awesome, awesome...then I hear "but". What? No, no buts! I refuse.
Apparently the little bugger decided to have a bit of a spell, so they had to increase him from 10ccs to 50ccs in less than a 2 hour span. Not good. Our doctor decided that if he stayed stable, we could take him home after his 6 p.m. feeding. If not, then he would be there at least over the weekend.
So we decided to go up for the noon feed, and to get him dressed in his going home clothes and bring up the portable oxygen tank, believing wholeheartedly that he would be good for the 6 p.m. take home.
Look at how irresistible he is:
And here he is all strapped in with a very, very proud papa:
I wish I could sleep on a dime like this...seriously, doesn't this look so very far from comfortable?:
His first nap AT HOME (he is currently just to my right right now):
Needless to say, when we got to the hospital for his feed, he was back to 10ccs. We asked the nurse if this meant we could take him home today, and she told us that as soon as he was done with his feed, we could take him. Right then. No waiting until evening.
So all the running around we were planning on doing before we got to the hospital to pick him up...yeah, I have sent the other half out to do...
Well, I am off to ogle my boy.
ttfn
k
And, since the only issue *might* have been if he didn't gain weight without the fortifier, I called in to find out how his weigh in went. He gained 66 grams! Awesome, awesome...then I hear "but". What? No, no buts! I refuse.
Apparently the little bugger decided to have a bit of a spell, so they had to increase him from 10ccs to 50ccs in less than a 2 hour span. Not good. Our doctor decided that if he stayed stable, we could take him home after his 6 p.m. feeding. If not, then he would be there at least over the weekend.
So we decided to go up for the noon feed, and to get him dressed in his going home clothes and bring up the portable oxygen tank, believing wholeheartedly that he would be good for the 6 p.m. take home.
Look at how irresistible he is:
And here he is all strapped in with a very, very proud papa:
I wish I could sleep on a dime like this...seriously, doesn't this look so very far from comfortable?:
His first nap AT HOME (he is currently just to my right right now):
Needless to say, when we got to the hospital for his feed, he was back to 10ccs. We asked the nurse if this meant we could take him home today, and she told us that as soon as he was done with his feed, we could take him. Right then. No waiting until evening.
So all the running around we were planning on doing before we got to the hospital to pick him up...yeah, I have sent the other half out to do...
Well, I am off to ogle my boy.
ttfn
k
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Amazing What Occurs to You When You Can Actually Relax
For starters, just because, umlaut, umlaut, umlaut! (Sorry, this word got stuck in my head earlier today for no apparent reason. Just thought I would share. And for those of you who don't know what that is, check here.)
Second, now that the stress of when I will be getting my boy home is gone, I feel much relieved. I mean, I know without a shadow of a doubt that I was barely keeping it together there for a while. I don't shirk away from that one. But I was stressed. And come on...seriously, how many people do you know could sanely handle 14.5 weeks of having a child they couldn't hold when they wanted to, change when he needed it, feed on demand, smell and sniff and play and double check that there are 10 little fingers and 10 little toes? Right. There is your slice of perception for the day.
Our first cuddles with great-nanny (who, I might add, was tickled pink with getting to see him...we wouldn't allow people to force the game of "you come down to toronto at such and such a time so I can see the baby"):
And on that note, if we skip back 14.5 weeks:
This was my first glimpse of Riley (after the initial red, screaming thing that just fought his way into the world before being whisked away to be saran wrapped). Kinda terrifying. Kinda completely terrifying.
Then we were blue...and I mean that quite literally.
One of the first holds...
my boob is bigger than his head...and pretty much all of him (yes, this will scar him when he is older).
Finally looking human...with the exception of that horrible machine which I hope to never have to name again:
Rolling along nicely...
Behind bars:
Finally off the obnoxious machine:
Look...even he is cheering.
Chilling in our bouncy chair (this was on his due date...June 28, 2009):
And now...and 98 days old...
For those of you doing the math, Riley will be coming home on his 101 day of post-uterus living. :)
I'm heading in to the hospital today to give him some loving and cuddles, a bath, and to pick up the rest of his swag that is there (the bouncy chair, the clothes, the bathtub).
A part of me is still thinking this can't be real yet. I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas.
ttfn
k
Second, now that the stress of when I will be getting my boy home is gone, I feel much relieved. I mean, I know without a shadow of a doubt that I was barely keeping it together there for a while. I don't shirk away from that one. But I was stressed. And come on...seriously, how many people do you know could sanely handle 14.5 weeks of having a child they couldn't hold when they wanted to, change when he needed it, feed on demand, smell and sniff and play and double check that there are 10 little fingers and 10 little toes? Right. There is your slice of perception for the day.
Our first cuddles with great-nanny (who, I might add, was tickled pink with getting to see him...we wouldn't allow people to force the game of "you come down to toronto at such and such a time so I can see the baby"):
And on that note, if we skip back 14.5 weeks:
This was my first glimpse of Riley (after the initial red, screaming thing that just fought his way into the world before being whisked away to be saran wrapped). Kinda terrifying. Kinda completely terrifying.
Then we were blue...and I mean that quite literally.
One of the first holds...
my boob is bigger than his head...and pretty much all of him (yes, this will scar him when he is older).
Finally looking human...with the exception of that horrible machine which I hope to never have to name again:
Rolling along nicely...
Behind bars:
Finally off the obnoxious machine:
Look...even he is cheering.
Chilling in our bouncy chair (this was on his due date...June 28, 2009):
And now...and 98 days old...
For those of you doing the math, Riley will be coming home on his 101 day of post-uterus living. :)
I'm heading in to the hospital today to give him some loving and cuddles, a bath, and to pick up the rest of his swag that is there (the bouncy chair, the clothes, the bathtub).
A part of me is still thinking this can't be real yet. I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas.
ttfn
k
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Best Friday Ever!
This morning (well, technically yesterday morning, I suppose), we were advised that Riley will be coming home on Friday!!! Yes, I still am almost in tears every time I think of that. He is coming home. Like to our house. To stay. No more hospitals. No more baring my breasts in the middle of a nursery because he cannot leave the bedside or oxygen that he is connected to. No more listening to "code blue; front lobby"; "code yellow; please log on to staff site for description"; and so forth. No more.
Yes, he will be coming home on oxygen. But I am okay with that. We will have a respiratory team out on Friday morning to set everything up, and then we just have to go pick the little guy up.
My parents will be taking Ammy from Thursday night until Monday, as they want us to have a few days to adjust to him being here, and to learn how to move around and operate normally with Riley's oxygen. They are wonderful peoples.
I need sleep now. I know that I need sleep. I just don't know how it is going to come. I am still completely spun.
ttfn
k.
Yes, he will be coming home on oxygen. But I am okay with that. We will have a respiratory team out on Friday morning to set everything up, and then we just have to go pick the little guy up.
My parents will be taking Ammy from Thursday night until Monday, as they want us to have a few days to adjust to him being here, and to learn how to move around and operate normally with Riley's oxygen. They are wonderful peoples.
I need sleep now. I know that I need sleep. I just don't know how it is going to come. I am still completely spun.
ttfn
k.
Monday, June 8, 2009
The Post In Which KnittyBitch Tries to See the Bright Side
Well dear readers, as you know, my son's breathing has been an uphill issue with the hubby and I. Earlier this week, after questioning if it might be related to the fact that I have an immune system disorder (my body fails to respond when I have a simple infection, and often times does not respond to infection in the "ordinary" course), or other medical problems which have occurred on both hubby's side of the family and mine, as well as questioning what I might have done wrong (if you are or know a preterm mother, the guilt is a common, though illogical, thing), we finally received a straight answer, of sorts. My son has been diagnosed with a chronic lung disease. It is gestationally related (he is over 36 weeks and still requires a fair amount of outside help with breathing), and sadly there is nothing that anyone can do to facilitate his recovery from it. This type of lung disease does not have any hard and fast rules for what can be done to make the child breath. Some things work for some children, some things work for others. But, there is nothing that is constant with any child, beyond time. So, at this moment in time, we are looking at "at least" another 3-4 weeks in the NICU. Because of how badly he responds to low-flow (i.e. the last time they tried him on it, he was at 600 oxygen on low-flow, and destated to 49% in less than 10 minutes), they want to give him more time before trying again. This has hit the point of frustration that is well beyond having anything left to say.
So the above was actually written last weekend. On Tuesday just past, we had our family meeting with the staff neonatalogist and the nurses, as well as the NICU coordinator and social worker at the hospital. At that meeting, we were advised that we were looking at at least 6-8 weeks of Riley remaining in the hospital, before they would look at sending him home on oxygen. They decided that they weren't going to even consider trying him on the low-flow again for another week. He just didn't get it. Both of us expressed our frustration at the fact that we honestly believe that he can do these things, but that he isn't being given a chance to try in circumstances that are optimal for success (i.e. every time that he was apparently tried on low-flow, we were never there for it, despite calling in to tell them when we would be). So on Wednesday, we arrive to be told that they are putting him on one hour low-flow during breastfeeding, and will keep him on the 9 hours of high flow as well. What? What happened to the statements of "he can't handle it, so we aren't even going to try"? Apparently our nurse for the day, who was one who had been there for many years, decided she also believed he could do it, so screw it, she was trying. The RTs agreed with her. So it was done. And he did amazing! They put him at 400, and for the entire hour, WHILE BREASTFEEDING, the lowest his saturation went was 96%. This is, I should mention, much better than he ever does on the CPAP. So the nurse charted how well he did, and decided that she would tell the Drs that he could handle the hour without issue. Thursday, same thing. One hour LF...they had to turn it down to 100 just to stop him from setting off his "over saturating" alarm. All this while breastfeeding. Amazing!
That evening, they moved Riley to the annex (which is a step between NICU and Level 2). It was agreed there that they would increase his breastfeeds and his low flow, since he appeared to be doing great with it. Since they are still operating under the assumption that he can't do it, though, they only increased it to 6 hours and completely got rid of the high flow, but what can you do. So, we are now doing 6 hours of low flow and 2 sessions of breastfeeding a day. Hopefully, since the nurses in the Annex are awesome and have seen how well he is doing and read his past charts (often times asking me "um, why is he still on the CPAP? I don't want to put him back on it, he hates it"), I am hoping that on Monday they will increase his low-flow time.
I must say, though, that I hate (and I mean deep down hate) that the doctors keep telling us that our son can't do things, and that he is not able to handle these things that we know he can, and finally agreeing with us. I have stopped attending the rounds for this reason. They piss me off. I know that they "have the child's best interest" at heart, but I am sick to death of fighting them, and it doesn't amount to anything, so...
In other news, I have started the OpArt blanket for Riley. Not too far into it, but after only a few rounds, you can already see the illusionary effect of it. I have also completely finished his sweater, and several more of the aviatrix hats.
I will post with pictures later, but for the moment, check out the chunky monkey:
So the above was actually written last weekend. On Tuesday just past, we had our family meeting with the staff neonatalogist and the nurses, as well as the NICU coordinator and social worker at the hospital. At that meeting, we were advised that we were looking at at least 6-8 weeks of Riley remaining in the hospital, before they would look at sending him home on oxygen. They decided that they weren't going to even consider trying him on the low-flow again for another week. He just didn't get it. Both of us expressed our frustration at the fact that we honestly believe that he can do these things, but that he isn't being given a chance to try in circumstances that are optimal for success (i.e. every time that he was apparently tried on low-flow, we were never there for it, despite calling in to tell them when we would be). So on Wednesday, we arrive to be told that they are putting him on one hour low-flow during breastfeeding, and will keep him on the 9 hours of high flow as well. What? What happened to the statements of "he can't handle it, so we aren't even going to try"? Apparently our nurse for the day, who was one who had been there for many years, decided she also believed he could do it, so screw it, she was trying. The RTs agreed with her. So it was done. And he did amazing! They put him at 400, and for the entire hour, WHILE BREASTFEEDING, the lowest his saturation went was 96%. This is, I should mention, much better than he ever does on the CPAP. So the nurse charted how well he did, and decided that she would tell the Drs that he could handle the hour without issue. Thursday, same thing. One hour LF...they had to turn it down to 100 just to stop him from setting off his "over saturating" alarm. All this while breastfeeding. Amazing!
That evening, they moved Riley to the annex (which is a step between NICU and Level 2). It was agreed there that they would increase his breastfeeds and his low flow, since he appeared to be doing great with it. Since they are still operating under the assumption that he can't do it, though, they only increased it to 6 hours and completely got rid of the high flow, but what can you do. So, we are now doing 6 hours of low flow and 2 sessions of breastfeeding a day. Hopefully, since the nurses in the Annex are awesome and have seen how well he is doing and read his past charts (often times asking me "um, why is he still on the CPAP? I don't want to put him back on it, he hates it"), I am hoping that on Monday they will increase his low-flow time.
I must say, though, that I hate (and I mean deep down hate) that the doctors keep telling us that our son can't do things, and that he is not able to handle these things that we know he can, and finally agreeing with us. I have stopped attending the rounds for this reason. They piss me off. I know that they "have the child's best interest" at heart, but I am sick to death of fighting them, and it doesn't amount to anything, so...
In other news, I have started the OpArt blanket for Riley. Not too far into it, but after only a few rounds, you can already see the illusionary effect of it. I have also completely finished his sweater, and several more of the aviatrix hats.
I will post with pictures later, but for the moment, check out the chunky monkey:
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
June...Already...
Yeah, I can't believe that. I am still sort of stunned by the fact that my little man turned 2 months old yesterday, however isn't due for another 26 days. That is, all things considered, really very freaky.
However, on the topic of my little man, he is doing good. They have upped his high flow to 6 hours daily. WEEEE!!!! Hoping it means that we will start to hear the word "low flow" being tossed around soon. Seriously...it has been over 2 months now. I hate that when I go in to visit him at the NICU, babies who have been there for 2 weeks who were born at a younger gestation than him are chilling out on the low flow and looking to be transferred down to level 2 while they are still within their first month of life.
I know, I know. You can't compare babies. But still, it is bloody frustrating. I mean, I had the lovely shots in my hips which were supposed to mature his lungs...most of these ladies didn't. Riley didn't have to be resuscitated...most of these babies did. Riley is 63 days old...most of these babies are under 30. Why the hell can't he get rid of this CPAP?
Yesterday, he did amazing on the 6 hours of high flow. Rocked it out at 35% for the entire 6 hours...and stayed in the mid to high 90s the entire time. Then they flipped him back to CPAP...at 40%...because he kept desating at anything lower. Seriously? Seriously...what the hell is that?
Anywho, rant over now. I am still happy that he is doing so well, and that he is starting to make progress, and that he is doing good with the breastfeeding. I am just very disappointed with seeing every other baby around us move from intubation to biphasic CPAP to CPAP at room pressure while my little guy is going ass backwards and keeps going up in necessary oxygen on the bloody CPAP.
I guess the worse part is that there is nothing that can be done, and no reason that can be found for this. His lungs appear to be fine and very well developed. He just doesn't seem to have the ability to keep his saturation levels up. And I am getting really, REALLY sick of hearing "well, he will do it on his own at his own time". I know this. I realize that I won't have a twelve year old still sitting around in the NICU. But that doesn't mean that all the false hope of him moving to a level 2 and being home before his due date that I was filled with from the comments of how wonderful he was doing and how healthy and strong he was (all things being considered) doesn't affect me every waking hour. And the fact of the matter is that if I were to have had him today, he would be coming home with me tomorrow.
ttfn
k
However, on the topic of my little man, he is doing good. They have upped his high flow to 6 hours daily. WEEEE!!!! Hoping it means that we will start to hear the word "low flow" being tossed around soon. Seriously...it has been over 2 months now. I hate that when I go in to visit him at the NICU, babies who have been there for 2 weeks who were born at a younger gestation than him are chilling out on the low flow and looking to be transferred down to level 2 while they are still within their first month of life.
I know, I know. You can't compare babies. But still, it is bloody frustrating. I mean, I had the lovely shots in my hips which were supposed to mature his lungs...most of these ladies didn't. Riley didn't have to be resuscitated...most of these babies did. Riley is 63 days old...most of these babies are under 30. Why the hell can't he get rid of this CPAP?
Yesterday, he did amazing on the 6 hours of high flow. Rocked it out at 35% for the entire 6 hours...and stayed in the mid to high 90s the entire time. Then they flipped him back to CPAP...at 40%...because he kept desating at anything lower. Seriously? Seriously...what the hell is that?
Anywho, rant over now. I am still happy that he is doing so well, and that he is starting to make progress, and that he is doing good with the breastfeeding. I am just very disappointed with seeing every other baby around us move from intubation to biphasic CPAP to CPAP at room pressure while my little guy is going ass backwards and keeps going up in necessary oxygen on the bloody CPAP.
I guess the worse part is that there is nothing that can be done, and no reason that can be found for this. His lungs appear to be fine and very well developed. He just doesn't seem to have the ability to keep his saturation levels up. And I am getting really, REALLY sick of hearing "well, he will do it on his own at his own time". I know this. I realize that I won't have a twelve year old still sitting around in the NICU. But that doesn't mean that all the false hope of him moving to a level 2 and being home before his due date that I was filled with from the comments of how wonderful he was doing and how healthy and strong he was (all things being considered) doesn't affect me every waking hour. And the fact of the matter is that if I were to have had him today, he would be coming home with me tomorrow.
ttfn
k
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Finally seeing some progress
Such a good last few days. Seriously, very happy with myself for all that has been accomplished over the last few...and how much others (note: Riley) have accomplished.
So, in the most important of the news's, Riley is still doing great on the high flow. He has been on it for handlings for the last 5 days in a row, and each time they have weened his oxygen down, and he has continued to rock it like a superstar. As of today's hold, he was down to 37/38% and kept himself around 94/95% saturation. Our nurse (our primary) was on today, so she has put in a request that he go to "as long as he can handle" for the high flow. Both yesterday and today, they put him on the high flow before the handlings, so he was on it for longer than just the "one hour during handles" that is currently written in his charts. Today was a busy day for him, too. While he should have had his shots (he is 60 days old already...seriously, how did that happen???), there was no prescription ordered for it, so he will be getting that tomorrow. However, when I got there, Andrea had him flipped to high flow, and we had a bath. He is too big to fit in the salad bowl any more, so they are going to have to move over one of the baths from Level 2 for him. But it was wonderful for me. And look:
Mad Scientist Hair!!!
And while we did our cuddles today, once again we did the NNS. Each time, he has been really good with handling swallowing the milk that releases when he first latches. And today, he actually got about 3-4 good size mouthfuls swallowed. I was so very happy about that (of course, that was in addition to his feed of 58 mls). And the results after 4 swallows and 20 minutes:
He spent the rest of our cuddling time like that...out cold and using his former snack provider as a pillow.
So, the other day my daughter and I went out to the store by our place, and crossed the path of the local thrift shop. It is a small, hole in the wall place, with "Bibles for Missions" written in HUGE letters on the front window. Needless to say, being agnostic, and having had a bad experience of an overly pushy devout woman last time I was in a thrift shop with a religious connection, I was a little iffy, but thought they might have a comfy chair that I could pick up cheap.
Well, I didn't find a chair, but check out the other goodies I stumbled upon (for a total of $9.00):
I plan on making myself a chunky vest with the red. With the other colours (the Sirdar balls), I am planning on making a bunch of hats/booties/mittens for Riley. One of the balls has a purple mixed in, and I am going to make Ammy a new winter hat with that (thinking I might just alter the Aviatrix pattern to fit her head). Speaking of the Aviatrix hat:
Yes, I have finished the second of these hats, and have started on the matching booties.
Tis all...it's late and I have to pump then hit the sack.
ttfn
Kel
So, in the most important of the news's, Riley is still doing great on the high flow. He has been on it for handlings for the last 5 days in a row, and each time they have weened his oxygen down, and he has continued to rock it like a superstar. As of today's hold, he was down to 37/38% and kept himself around 94/95% saturation. Our nurse (our primary) was on today, so she has put in a request that he go to "as long as he can handle" for the high flow. Both yesterday and today, they put him on the high flow before the handlings, so he was on it for longer than just the "one hour during handles" that is currently written in his charts. Today was a busy day for him, too. While he should have had his shots (he is 60 days old already...seriously, how did that happen???), there was no prescription ordered for it, so he will be getting that tomorrow. However, when I got there, Andrea had him flipped to high flow, and we had a bath. He is too big to fit in the salad bowl any more, so they are going to have to move over one of the baths from Level 2 for him. But it was wonderful for me. And look:
Mad Scientist Hair!!!
And while we did our cuddles today, once again we did the NNS. Each time, he has been really good with handling swallowing the milk that releases when he first latches. And today, he actually got about 3-4 good size mouthfuls swallowed. I was so very happy about that (of course, that was in addition to his feed of 58 mls). And the results after 4 swallows and 20 minutes:
He spent the rest of our cuddling time like that...out cold and using his former snack provider as a pillow.
So, the other day my daughter and I went out to the store by our place, and crossed the path of the local thrift shop. It is a small, hole in the wall place, with "Bibles for Missions" written in HUGE letters on the front window. Needless to say, being agnostic, and having had a bad experience of an overly pushy devout woman last time I was in a thrift shop with a religious connection, I was a little iffy, but thought they might have a comfy chair that I could pick up cheap.
Well, I didn't find a chair, but check out the other goodies I stumbled upon (for a total of $9.00):
I plan on making myself a chunky vest with the red. With the other colours (the Sirdar balls), I am planning on making a bunch of hats/booties/mittens for Riley. One of the balls has a purple mixed in, and I am going to make Ammy a new winter hat with that (thinking I might just alter the Aviatrix pattern to fit her head). Speaking of the Aviatrix hat:
Yes, I have finished the second of these hats, and have started on the matching booties.
Tis all...it's late and I have to pump then hit the sack.
ttfn
Kel
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