One Year

One year ago we were introduced to our little man.

Those first few weeks/months are still a blur. Through the hormones and the worry, I remember being in awe of the little person that would be a part of our lives forever.

He has been the greatest joy to us and I am grateful every day that we were given this gift. Thank you for coming into our lives, Luke. We love you very, very much!

Toothache

I am not good about going to the dentist. By "not good" I mean I haven't gone in years. Yes, I know that's not smart, but don't worry. I've learned my lesson. Last week I was having some tooth pain and I though that maybe it was really just sinus pain since my allergies have kicked into high gear lately. When it got worse I had to break down and go. One small x-ray later (yes, I wore the vest) the verdict was root canal. This would be bad enough, except when you are pregnant, it becomes a bit more complicated. You can't be sedated and your pain medication options are much more limited. Also, you have to take frequent breaks because you can't be on your back for long periods of time. The dentist really seemed like he was on top of the whole dental work while pregnant thing, so I felt ok about it. I went in at 1pm and got out at 4pm. With all of the breaks and the fact that the tooth in question is one of my very back molars, it took 3 full hours. I made an appointment to get my teeth cleaned before I left the office.

I feel like an idiot. It's really my own fault for not going to the dentist more often, but the pain I am feeling right now has scared me straight. So, make me feel better. Tell me your dental nightmares. The stories will go well with my liquid diet.




On a happier note, I was given the Honest Scrap award by Delenn!

Here are the rules:
Choose a minimum of 7 blogs that you find brilliant in content or design.
Show the winners names and links on your blog, and leave a comment informing them that they were prized with “Honest Scrap.” There’s no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon.

List at least 10 honest things about yourself.
The list:

1. Although I brush and floss twice a day, I have not been to the dentist in ten years. Yes, I am stupid.

2. My mom and I have never had a good relationship and I'm afraid I won't know how to be a good mom to a daughter.

3. I really wish I could go back to teaching, but I don't think I could be a good parent and handle the stress of the classroom...... or the crappy pay.

4. I would eat Indian food every day if I could.

5. There are times when I wish I could escape my life for just a few days, but I know I would just end up missing my husband and son too much.

6. I am compiling lists of information and instructions for my husband in case something happens to me during my C-section.

7. I really, really, really miss my friend, Teal. I know she hated Houston, but I wish she lived closer.

8. I am really afraid that breastfeeding won't be any easier this time.

9. I used to think that people who made friends over the internet were weird. However, in the past few months I have have made some really great friends online. I'm glad I was wrong.

10. I would have a hard time living without my iPhone.

Ok, I officially tag/award:

Danielle
Darcy
Teal
Kate
Christa
Courtney
Marissa

Get to it, Ladies!! In the mean time, I am going to go and pick up the Girl Scout cookies I ordered. I can't believe they came in today. I am so hungry and tired of drinking my meals. The cruelty of it all!!!

Resolved With More Questions

The sippy cup saga came to a successful close! After just a few nights of fussing about the new formula distribution system, we are officially done with bottles!!! Ms. K was right - after one week he was done. I did cheat a little a first and cut an extra slit in the nozzle to improve the flow, but gave Luke the unaltered version this weekend and he was fine with that. Now when I open up the kitchen cabinet I see the wasted remains of the battle. There were three types that I tried at various points along the way. All were failures.

Finally, this is the kind that worked. Many of you mentioned the Nuby brand cups. Is that what you were talking about?

Thank you all so much for your encouragement and advice. It really helped. It's one of the reasons I love the support system of the blogging world. You're not done yet, though.

My next question is about food. Luke is a slow teether (he only has 2) so I have been slow with giving him finger foods, which was probably not a good move. He will eat Cheerios, puffs, crackers, etc.. until he pops, but his real nutrition is still coming from jarred food and formula. I have tried giving him pieces of bananas, which he likes purred, and avocados. However, as soon as he touches it, he gets grossed out. The squishiness is unappealing to him. Next week I am going to try pasta and see how that goes. I want to really start giving him a wider variety of food because in a few weeks he'll be off of formula and won't be getting those extra vitamins. Has anyone else come across this? Suggestions? Solutions?

There are a few blogger that I would love for you to visit, if you have the time. Cibele is having a really hard time right now. Her daughter is very sick with RSV and she will be in the hospital for a few more days. It's been a really tough road for her since Lyla was born. Please go over and offer some support.

Aunt Becky is also facing a really scary situation with her newborn daughter. Just two weeks after she was born she is going to have a cyst on her brain removed. Please go and let her know you're thinking of her.

Lastly, JJ and Mook welcomed Oliver into the world! JJ is one of those special people that puts in extra time to make sure we all feel connected. I have gotten so much encouragement and support from the Braces Bunch group that she organized and I couldn't be more thrilled for her. Congrats!!!!

Bottles, Cups and Confusion

Just when I think I've hit my stride as a parent, I feel like another milestone (or lack thereof) sticks out of the ground and trips me. Bedtime has become very smooth and without any problems. Luke gets his bottle, I brush his teeth and then we put him in the crib while he's still awake. We don't hear from him again until morning. Now, it's the sippy cup saga. His teacher at school, who I trust, suggested that we start to really work on transitioning him away from the bottle. Let me say, first, that she was not at all pushy and was willing to go along with whatever we wanted. She's right, though. Luke does drink water from his cup, but not his formula. I had visions of friends whose 3 year olds would not give up their bottles and I decided that we should go for it. So, we began. He hates it. He'll take a few sips, but ends up crying. I think it's because of the flow rate. He probably has to work harder with the sippy. Then I hear people talking about straw cups. Should I try that instead? I am lost and torn. I think he can do this, but isn't there a solution that doesn't involve fighting your screaming child?

I am not the kind of parent who caves in at every little protest, but I am also not a parent who thinks that you should force your child into a transition that they may not be ready for. Maybe I need new tools? I know that this will all work out. I know that he's not going to be asking for his "baba" in Kindergarten, but I also know that there are developmental windows when certain transitions are more easily accomplished. Any and all thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.

In the mean time, I leave you with a short video of Luke's audition for Aerosmith. Watch out, Steven Tyler.