Dinobrush

Going on 3 and a half, I think we are probably overdue for Layla's first dental visit.  I asked a few friends for recommendations and unfortunately, none of them were covered by our insurance.  So, we're taking a chance on Dr. Bob, one of the two dentists located in Glenview that takes our insurance.  So far I am pretty optimistic.

I called to schedule an appointment last week for the second week of January.  The receptionist confirmed the spelling of Layla's name and said that she would be sending a book to prepare Layla for her first visit, as well as medical history forms, etc.

The book came the next day, thanks to our speedy postal service.  And, unlike much of my mail, was not completely mangled by my postman.  What I found surprised me.  This book is an original Dr. Bob creation, complete with personalization for the patient.  Layla, being quite the book enthusiast, was very excited to see her name on it.

The story is about a dinosaur/toothbrush creature who introduces the friends at the dentist's office and the concept of being there.   It explains how 'sugar bugs' get on your teeth and you have to floss and brush your teeth to keep the sugar bugs away.  Layla loves her books about scabs so was naturally enthusiastic about germs trying to get into her teeth!

First question after I read it for the first time: "Mom! I don't have any floss, can we go get some?  Right now?"

Second questions after brushing her teeth later in the evening (yelling, since I wasn't standing right next to her): "Mom!  Did I get all the sugar bugs?"

Apostrophes gone awry!

In American culture it seems impossible to combat the 'more is better' ideal.  We like big meals, big houses, more clothes, more shoes, more gadgets, etc.  We love to shop for lots of Christmas presents.  The more the merrier! This wonderful season also brings me a lot of cards, which I love.  It's so fun to have cute photos of our friends and family and see how everyone has changed over the last year.

One thing that is not good in abundance is apostrophes.  In a Christmas card would you say that you are "The Olsons" or "The Olson's".  Unless your card says "The Olson's Christmas Card" I think you should stick with the former.  I am distracted by card from "The Olson's", by trying to understand why these college-educated folks are using an apostrophe for a plural.

Also, if you are selling more than one sauna would you use an apostrophe?  Would you have a sign made up with this incorrect plural spelling like the Chicago Home Fitness in my town which is currently selling "Infrared Sauna's"? 

In our world of excess nothing makes me more crazy than the extra apostrophes that are gathering momentum like some sort of plague.  I gathered a few examples in case you are fortunate to live in a town that has not yet been infected.  (I know that printing companies are not in the business of correcting these things, but they should because they could make a fortune!)

I certainly would not bring anything to the sign company that can't even proof their own signs. 

As an aside, it is confusing to me why some Chicago folks call themselves and/or others "Cub" fans.  The team is the "Cubs", wouldn't you be a "Cubs fan"?  Or are you only cheering for one particular Cub?  I have asked a couple people this and cannot get answer they just look at me like I am crazy. Please email me if you know. 

 I don't know what is worse "Lady's" or "Ladie's".  UGH! 

p.s. My editor will be emailing me with any spelling or grammatical errors that I have made here and you should feel free to do the same. 

p.p.s. After a recent remodeling project was completed at our Dominick's they had many signs printed and hung up that said "NOW OPEN".   This reminds me of that episode of friends where Joey is trying to use the quotation marks.

JJ is Two Months Old!

This boy is so adorable, I am telling you.  I can't stop hugging and kissing him.  He's quite smiley and sweet.  I wil keep trying to get a good picture of his smile.   We discovered something new about Jayden this week:  his second and third toes are partially fused together.  I know, really what mother wouldn't have noticed this before their child was two months old!  In my defense, he's finally uncurling and stretching out.  He does, in fact have 10 toes, I did check that.  The doctor said there's no reason to separate the toes, unless they prove to be an issue physically or cosmetically in the future.  Maybe he'll be a fast swimmer! 

Here are the stats:  

Weight is up to 11 pounds, 10 ounces!  He is at about the 50% (started at 8% when he was born) so he's gaining some ground.  You'll notice his growing belly in the pictures.

Height is 24" He's grown a whopping 4 inches since he was born.  Can you imagine growing 20% taller in two months?  Babies are so amazing! 

 

 Still trying to catch the elusive smile!

 His "northwoods" outfit from Uncle Bob and Aunt Lynne

This is where he likes to sit and stare at the Michael Jordan photo.

This is how he likes to sit in the chair and stair at something in the closet.

  I have sat there and can't quite figure out what is so interesting.

All I want for Christmas

Layla's school had their annual Santa Breakfast this past Saturday.  The preschool had a short program and the kids sang a medley of Christmas songs.  Layla was very excited about the whole thing and did a great job singing.  She also got to see Santa.  At first she didn't want to sit with him, then she did, than she didn't.  Ultimately, she clawed at my neck, just like last year, and kept her distance from Santa.  Fortunately, we still got a nice smile out of her.  

In case you are looking for gift ideas for the kids for Christmas:  College money would be greatly appreciated or clothes for the coming year.  For Layla 4T clothes for any season (she loves dresses)and a winter dress coat.  For Jayden we will need some 6-12 month clothes and anything larger (i.e. 12-18 months for next winter).  I know, I know I am so boring.  But really, they don't need anything.  The best gift we can ask for is to spend time with our friends and family.  No gifts required.

 Layla with her classroom Christmas tree

Christmas Program Procession

 The program included Go Tell it on the Mountain and Silent Night.

Keep your distance, Santa!

Really?!?! Really!?!?

Being alone with a baby makes you a little starved for adult conversation.  Working alone in your office isn't much different except I talk back to the radio a little more.  I just have to vent a few things that make me say "Really?!?!".  You can imagine my voice kind of shrieking in disbelief/irritation.

1. John Boehner, Grover Norquist and the pledge of allegiance to the wealthy.  Really wealthy people.  We're talking about people who can afford to buy nearly anything they want, get Starbuck's every day, don't wear clothes or shoes with holes in them, and go on nice vacations.  Raising tax rates on wealthy people does not create a hardship for them.  Raising taxes on middle class folks, hundreds of dollars a month makes a big difference in our lives.  The wealthy people I have talked to about this (admittedly mostly my liberal-minded clients) feel the same way.  How much money is enough?   250k a year is probably enough for any family.  Sadly, I also know some people for whom more money is never enough. 

2. Lindsay Lohan:  Can someone please talk some sense into this woman before she kills herself or someone else.  Or is she waiting for the 27th year curse? She won't be 27 until July so I guess we'll have to wait to see if she can stay alive that long.  Maybe they'll finally put her in jail so she can dry out.

3. Nasty old man who dented the car of a possible renter as they were leaving our condo. Really?!?! I don't have much else to say about that.

4. Someone last week referred to me, in my presence, as a "stay at home Mom with a consulting business".  Really?!?!  Before my second child was born I was working close to 60 hours a week, maintaining one home and remodeling another and taking care of my family.  I really don't find that to be quite the same thing as a stay at home Mom.  No disrespect to the SAHM, that's not easy gig either. 

5. This weather.  Is it going to snow before Christmas? I appreciate the changing of the seasons, and it's nice to have a warm fall, but I actually like a little snow.  I can hardly find it in my heart to cut down my Christmas tree while wearing flip flops.  If I wanted to do that I would move to Florida.  Although they probably don't have pine trees in Florida. 

6. I talked to an old co-worker yesterday and he asked me, "So, what do you do now besides pop out babies?" Am I Michelle Duggar? Nuff said.

Back to Work

I am officially 'back to work' today, starting just two days a week.  We have several projects in the works, and a new house about to break ground.  There is definitely more than 2 days a week of work to do, so hopefully Jayden will be interested in some longer nap times soon.

Working from home is great, but I am distracted by the many other household duties.  Stay focused! Stay in your office!  Our new website is almost ready and I will link it here when it "launches".  Our facebook page is updated and I have lots more to add in the coming weeks and months as our new house gets underway.  Very exciting!

It was fun to get back to the baby room this morning.  The main teachers are the same as when Layla was an infant and one of the afternoon teachers spends the mornings in Layla's room, so she gets to see both kids.  Jayden's 'class' has a lot of younger siblings from Layla's room, so I think they will get to visit one another pretty often.

Next week we have Jayden's two month check up but Jason and I did a rough weigh in here at home and it looks like he is over 11 pounds.  How amazing our little peanut baby is growing.  Layla was 13 pounds, 9 ounces at two months and I don't think he'll be quite that big, but I am guessing he'll be close to 12 pounds and catch up with Layla soon.

 I caught a (almost) smile.  Real ones are coming more often, but still hard to catch with the camera.

Here's a few pics and what's been happening: 

Papa Steve was here Thanksgiving weekend to help Jason at the house. 

Kids on Monday 11/26

Tummy Time 11/26

Our boy rolled over on 11/15 at only 5 weeks old! 

Now, he's doing it every day. 

Auntie Rachel was here 11/27 for a short visit and we are so glad she got to meet Jayden.

We will get to see her a bit more at Christmastime when she and Victor are here for a long visit.

The Day Before

On Tuesday 10/9/12 I had an appointment with my friend, Laura Morgan, to have a few photos taken of my baby belly.  Here's her website if you are interested in contacting her for maternity or baby photos:  Mini Morgan

I thought it was plenty of time before Jayden was to arrive.  Little did we know if was to be my last day of 'normal' before he arrived.  Here are a few pics that I liked the best.

Dinosaur Girl

A preview of our family photo shoot from last weekend!   More to come.....

*****

Layla: When I grow up I can be a soccer ball player and a mommy.
Me: That's great honey.
Layla: orrrrrrrrrr a Monster
Me: (Silently) ???
Layla: orrrrrr a Dinosaur

*****

Happy Thanksgiving!

We decided to celebrate Thanksgiving a little early this year.  We didn't feel ready to make a trip anywhere with the kids quite yet, so we are staying in Illinois for Thanksgiving this year.  We haven't done that in quite some time.

Allie's job restricts her travel around the holidays so we settled on this past weekend to celebrate Thanksgiving together.  We made all the traditional fixings and enjoyed a long weekend here in Deerfield.   Allie got to meet Jayden for the first time and everyone got a lot of cuddling time.

On Thursday I got caught up on appointments I had scheduled before Jayden was born.  My hair (scheduled for the day I was induced) and nails (scheduled for the weekend following his birth) were in need of some attention and it was nice to get a few minutes of 'me time'.  On Friday I attended a few client meetings, hoping to get one project started in design and another into construction.

Allie and Jayden meet

Sweet little boy, snuggling with Grandma

 Layla helps Papa make the green bean casserole

Grandma snuggles Allie and her grandbabies

 

Thanksgiving Dinner (well dessert, really)

One Month Old!

Jayden was one month old yesterday!  Of course, the time goes by so fast.  He had a great check up on Thursday morning at four weeks old.  He has grown an inch and a half and gained nearly two pounds already: He's 8 pounds, 5 ounces and 21.5 inches tall!  By yesterday he had probably gained a couple more ounces, making his weight gain about an average of an ounce a day, remarkable!

New Friends!

Jayden and Audrey's first play date.  There will be many more in our future I'm sure!

Jayden - almost 4 weeks old
Audrey - almost 3 weeks old

Going where?

This morning we are getting on the car. Layla is relocating the rocks around the landscaping (throwing them at the tree). She is about to throw a rock in the air.
Me: Don't thrown that in the air.
L: Why?
Me: You might hit yourself or the car.
L: No, I won't.
Me: If you hit the car with a rock it will make a dent and Mom will be very mad.
L: Then you'll have to take your car to the dentist!

Happy Halloween!

Layla was really getting into the Halloween spirit this year.  She had some great gifts to get her in the mood - new books from Grandma Carol and Papa Greg and a Dora Halloween movie from Aunt Allie.  On Halloween night we set out for candy collection.  Layla chose which houses she wanted to visit based on their decorations and bravely rang doorbells and yelled Haaaaaapppppy Haallllowwweeeeen!  at one unsuspecting neighbor.  She was well rewarded with more candy than any 3 year old should need for a year and we barely walked a whole block.

My First Halloween! 

 Trick or Treat!

Our little Cinderella!  We were glad the dress fit over her winter jacket and sort of blended in. 

Fortunately, she didn't mind at all.  She was happy and warm! 

Big yawn, not a scream!

Halloween outfit #2 glows in the dark.

Thanks Papa Steve and Grandma Annie!

Rounding out October

October is drawing to a close already and yesterday was our due date.  It's kind of funny to me to consider, since Jayden is already two weeks old.  Oh, how the time moves.  I remember this with Layla as well.  The days pass quickly and you can rarely say that you did more than feed and change a baby.  Of course, now we have two kids to take care of and so the days are naturally more busy. Jayden is a good sleeper and generally easy going which makes it more manageable that it might otherwise be.

Last weekend we braved Didier Farms; we went last year to get our pumpkins.  This year we took part in the carnival aspect more than the pumpkin picking.  Neither Jason or I was feeling strongly about pumpkin carving.  Mom and Dad had already gotten Layla a couple of small pumpkins at the farmer's market, so she didn't really want another one.

She did, however, love the big slide (more than last year) and the car rides.  She also went on a pony ride, which was my favorite.

Jayden had his two week check up on Thursday and is doing well.  He was almost up to 6 pounds, 11 ounces.  He has been gaining almost an ounce a day since we left the hospital, so he won't be a little peanut for too much longer.

Layla's Halloween Parade at school was yesterday and she was Cinderella!  I know, I know.  I am not a supporter of the Princess obsession adopted by our culture.  However, she is very innocent about it and didn't want to be anything else.  I keep thinking about how blown away she is going to be when she learns that Cinderella has her own movie.  We may have to get that for her for Christmas. I guess that's what snowy days in February are for.....

Here's a few pics of the week in review.

Fire Engine Captain

She waited a whole turn so that she could be front of the line and drive the fire engine!

Car Ride - Cute Convertible!

Big Sis Pumpkin Photo

It didn't seem worthwhile to wake Jayden up for the photo, though I really consdered it. 

Pony Ride

It was beautiful weather, unseasonably warm all weekend. 

Jayden took over Layla's job as leaf disposal supervisor while Jason and I worked in the yard. 

We have been utterly spoiled by amazing gifts from friends and family over the last two weeks.

Eventually, I'll get my Thank You notes out, but in the meantime I had to share this one. 

Layla got this book from Aunt Sue, Uncle Rick and cousins Michael, Heidi and Olivia. 

It is personalized with the kids names and Layla really loves it! 

One of Jason's clients sent an Edible Arrangements gift.  If you haven't seen this it's like a bouquet made of fruit, but they also sent a balloon, with a note: Balloon is for the Big Sister.  These nice people have four kids so they know what they're talking about.

It should be noted that this gift arrived just a few short days after we had gotten her hair cut, at which she got a balloon, which got caught on a bush and popped on the walk home.  Insert crying three year old, who loves balloons, especially pink ones from 'the haircut store'. 

I think you can tell how much she liked the new balloon.  She fell asleep clutching it.  Two nights in a row.  We'll see if tonight is three in a row. 

 Cinderellie, Cinderellie

If that crown looks familiar you may have one too, from Carrie's bachelorette party.  In 2004.  

I think it's a good sign that I keep things too long.  But, it did come in handy!

Layla and Jayden on his due date yesterday. 

She is getting the hang of holding him in her lap!

Bili-Baby

The first week went off mostly without a hitch; really it went well until Mom and Dad left.  They helped us get done everything that we intended to do BEFORE Jayden got here.  They did lots of laundry, put away baby clothes, moved furniture from the den to the house, cleaned and filled the refrigerator full of food.  They cooked for us for several days and made the transition home so much easier.  Wednesday morning they packed up and left.  Thankfully, my fridge was still pretty full of food!

Wednesday afternoon we had a check up for Jayden with the pediatrician. I had noticed that he looked a little yellow on Tuesday when we went out for out walk.  This is a very hard thing to discern at home under incandescent lighting.  Outside he looked a little yellow, at the doctors office he looked a little pumpkin-colored.  The doctor was pleased with his weight gain since we left the hospital and overall that he looked healthy.  She ordered a blood test to check his bilirubin level. 

Wednesday evening she called us and said that she was working on getting a bed for Jayden at the hospital and that we had to take him back to receive photo-therapy because his bilirubin levels were too high.  Here's a link to learn more about elevated bilirubin/jaundice if you are so inclined: http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/tc/jaundice-in-newborns-hyperbilirubinemia-topic-overview

Needless to say it was pretty overwhelming to be told that we had an hour to get ready and go back to the hospital.  I was the obvious choice to stay with him since I am nursing, and Jason would stay home with Layla.  Understandably, she was quite upset that Mom and Jayden had to go back to the hospital.

This situation is pretty common and "routine" according to the pediatricians and nursing staff at the hospital.  In fact, we were the 4th "Bili-Baby" on the pediatric ward Wednesday night.  As you can imagine it doesn't feel very routine when it's your 6 day old baby!

The photo-therapy involves sleeping in an incubator with "Bili-lights" (blue lights) above the bed and sleeping on a "Bili-blanket".  Not a blanket at all but a flat light emitter that looks like a big spatula, intended to get the light onto the babies back.  The baby wears cotton eye patches to protect his eyes and a diaper.

It was a weird and unsettling and he slept a lot, I guess it's like being back in the womb? Very dark and warm.  He was so sleepy he wasn't nursing well, and we had to give him some bottles.   The good news is that he responded well to the treatment and on the second night we were able to turn the lights off.  His bilirubin level was re-tested on Friday morning, to insure that there was no "re-bound" in the level and we were finally able to go home, again.

Hopefully, we won't have to be back at the hospital.  Ever.

Our "Bili-Baby" under the "Bili-lights" and on the "Bili-Blanket"

Layla was very excited to help feed Jayden a bottle when she came to visit. 

 Back home on Friday, looking better than ever!

Baby Jayden is here!

Click here to view these pictures larger

So it's been quite a whirlwind week!  Our son, Jayden, came into this world on Thursday last week.  What an amazing birthday, 10/11/12!  I had teased Carrie that she should select to have her c-section on this date and then, it turns out I was the one to have my baby that day.

Last Tuesday I visited the Dr. for my weekly appt., according to my projected due date I was 37 weeks 4 days gestation.  These regular visits include measuring my belly.  The measurements are generally equated to gestation, i.e. at 37 weeks my belly should be measuring 37 cm.  The acceptable range is 35-39 cm.   This week I was measuring at 34 cm, actually smaller than the previous week's measurement of 35 cm.  As a precaution my doctor ordered an ultrasound.  He felt that the baby was probably 6.5 pounds or so and seemed well, but the measurement was something we should look into.  Also the baby's head was very low and that might be the reason.

I was a little anxious about it, but was able to get an appointment for Wednesday afternoon.  I also had an appointment to get my haircut, get new headshots taken for the business website and go out to dinner with Jason and Layla.  I didn't get too far on any of those other things.  On Wednesday I went to the  hospital for the ultrasound and was pleased to see all was well with the little munchkin.  Heart and lungs and organs were all looking good and strong.  The ultrasound technician estimated his weight at 6 pounds, 11 ounces.  She did note that the fluid levels were low and spent time re-measuring them around my belly.  Then she went to get consult the doctor.

Now, I remember someone telling me that getting an ultrasound is not anything to worry about unless the tech goes to talk to the doctor.....and she was gone a long time.  When she came back she said that she showed the levels to the doctor at the hospital and he suggested that I be induced today.  They had called the doctor on call for our practice and he had instructed that I go immediately to the [other] hospital to be admitted for induction.  Whoa!  It was quite a shock.

I had a mini panic attack in the hospital lobby and then called Jason.  He was equally shocked but we had to get our plan together fast.  Not having talked to the doctor myself and being delivered this information by the ultrasound tech was a bit unsettling.  Nonetheless I got into the car and started making phone calls.  I had a 20 minute drive at least between the two hospitals.  I called my Mom and Dad, Allie, the salon where I was supposed to be getting my hair cut (in time for baby!), and my friend Leslie who had offered to take care of Layla should we need her.

Leslie had had both her kids with the same practice as us, so it was re-assuring talking to her and of course, that she would be able to take care of Layla overnight and everything would be fine.  Thank God for Leslie!  It was such a huge weight off my mind to know that Layla would be taken care of.

When I get to the hospital the nurses usher me into my room, get me in the gown, hooked up to fetal monitors and start an iv.  Still, I haven't talked to the doctor but the care team there had been given instruction that I was being induced and they were going to get me ready!  The women's services ward was very busy and my doctor had 5 women in labor already when I got there.  It was going to be a hectic night for everyone! 

Finally, the doctor came and talked through with me what the low fluid levels meant (placenta was not functioning properly) and that he felt that the levels we too low and not safe for the baby.  He examined me and determined that pitocin would be adequate for induction, rather than some more invasive practices that they can perform.

Jason arrives at the hospital, in a state of shock.  He had left work and gone home to pack overnight bags for Layla, me and him.  He went to Layla's school to see her and explain that she was going to get her first slumber party with one of her best friends, and on a school night no less! She was worried that I hadn't come to pick her up, but very excited once she heard that Mom was in the hospital and that her brother would be here the next day.

Here's the general play-by-play for the rest of the evening:  7:00 start pitocin, 9:00 break water, 10:00 contractions are getting really intense!, 11:00 ask for epidural, 11:45 epidural is in legs are numb, try to sleep, 3:00 nurse checks our progress (7cm!), 4:00 nurse checks progress and says,  'oh crap! we need to get the doctor in here right now, wake your husband up!' 4:12 start pushing, 4:13 Jayden is here!!!!

He was 6 pounds, 7 ounces and perfect in every way.  We were over the moon excited and overwhelmed to have him with us.  Here are some pictures of the first couple of days.