Rights and Wrongs

As I am slowly learning the ways of parenting... I have got to thinking about a few things that I think I am doing right as a parent. But then of course comes a few things that I am doing wrong not so well.

I thought I'd share these thoughts... and if you'd like to share your own list of rights and wrongs in the comment section, I would love to read them!

In the interest of ending on a high note ... let's first review the wrongs:

1. The Soother
I don't necessarily think that giving E a soother has been bad choice... especially since when we brought him home from the hospital he was definitely in need of something to soothe him a bit more that what PC or I could offer him. The soother actually did provide him enough comfort to sleep better/longer stretches, but now 8 months later - I find myself giving him the soother in an effort to avoid him putting other things in his mouth. I have the feeling that this action is going to come back to bite me in the ass down the road. Why? I am not so sure, but the fact that E does not whine for it, yet I just give it to him when I don't want him to have other things in his mouth, this to me will have some kind of consequences down the road.

2. Gimme Gadgets
We are family of techno gadgets, ipods, blackberrys, laptops, cordless phones, wireless remotes, digital cameras, etc. At an early age, E took an interest to these fancy items that are always lying around our house. I didn't see the harm in it, if it entertained him for 5 minutes while I dried my hair or was folding laundry. However, now that he is much more active and can do a lot more damage to these items... I find him constantly reaching for them when they are anywhere in sight, and now he is starting to kick up a fuss when I object to him playing with them. I feel bad for him, as he is most likely thinking 'Lady, it was cool for me to play with these for the last 6 months, and now suddenly it's a no-no? I don't get it!' My other fear, is that now that he is use to playing with these items as so-called toys, when he goes to other people's house is he going to whack the crap out their precious gadgets like he does ours? I guess I better start carrying my cheque book with me when we go visiting!

But, it isn't always bad parenting decisions around here... I do think we are doing a few things well.... like:

1. Books Books and More Books
I have a love of books... and I really want to pass this love onto E. We have a big basket of books in his room and we read at least 20 a day... before naps times, before bed, and sometimes just when we are bored or its a rainy day out. I love doing the voices for him in the book and he thinks it is so funny. He also loves to turn the pages for me... often that is a game in itself, but the point is that he is taking a liking to books, and reading - and I hope that one day down the road he will benefit (at school and in life) because was familiarized with books at an early age.

2. Sleeping Here, Sleeping There, Sleep Sleep Everywhere
This one I can't take all the credit for, because E himself is doing it for us, but he is such a good sleeper, and we encourage him to fall asleep almost anywhere we go. We started out using a cradle at the foot of our bed for the first month but then we quickly moved him into his crib, gave him his own space to get comfortable in, and we haven't looked back. He sleeps in any one's pack n' play... not matter if we are in Florida, or just down the street at friends. We cart him almost anywhere... and I think that taking him places and getting him use to sleeping in situations other than his own crib is going to help him adjust to new settings as he grows. We always bring along some comfort items so he knows its sleepy time, and these few things mixed with his personality have him sleeping like a baby when were on the go!

3. Lots of Love
I am a big fan of smothering E to death in kisses and hugs all. day. long. It wasn't that I didn't feel loved as child or anything crazy like, but I do really want E to know how much he is loved, and I want to be those parents that not only say it, but also can show it through affection. I have a feeling when he is older he is going to hate this because he is a boy... but it doesn't bother me. I think that sharing these mushy moments with him now, will only help him in the long run with sharing his own emotions. Someday, some lucky woman is going to appreciate me for this!

So... there you have it! The rights and wrongs according to this new Mama. Who knows... maybe my rights won't be so right, and my wrongs might not be so wrong. Maybe E will be grow up to be some famous inventor who builds a gadget to replace the soother, but a man who hates reading and sleeping anywhere but his own bed!

As a parent... you win some you lose some - I guess I will just have to wait (25 years) to find out which decisions were good and which ones could have been better!

Video Friday

I have a few blog topics rolling around in my head today, but just not the brain power to flush them out the way I would like... so instead, I thought I would share with you a few videos of E that I have taken in the last week or so!

Another Espresso Please!


Click here if you can't see it.

Time to lower my crib!


Click here if you can't see it.

Watching Dad cut the grass!


Click here if you can't see it.

Wednesday Wrap-Up!

Nothing super fascinating to bitch blog about ... so thought I would go with a little Wednesday Wrap-Up to bring everyone up to speed on my fairly boring life!

• We recently got GOOD NEWS here ... E's test results from the VCUG came back along with his blood work, and everything is CLEAR - as in, his good kidney is functioning A okay... and should be for a long time to come. I was so relieved to get this news, you have no idea how much this was weighing on my mind - especially at night. I wanted to believe that everything was good, but until you actually get the results you can't let your mind rest. E will still have to have his blood pressure monitored and in the fall we will be seeing a neuphrologist to look into the condition of his right kidney, but most likely the right kidney will be left alone as long as it isn't causing any problems in its current multicystic state. Can we all let out a big 'pheeeeeeeeeeeeew' for E - THANK YOU!

• The ongoing saga of Jon and Kate plus 8 came to a head on Monday night's show... where the couple announced in separate interviews that they are divorcing. As much as I could see that coming, I am still saddened that it has come this. I absolutely love this family... watching them in the earlier seasons was a favourite past time of mine - now that they are struggling, I still want to watch because in my opinion, regardless of what happens with Jon and Kate as a couple, their children are still inspiring people.

• I am so freaked out about this coming summer. I am so excited for July to get here, but I also know that once July hits, September will come faster than I expect ... which means I have to start preparing myself for going back to work, the transition from home to daycare for E, his first birthday - all things that will happen way to fast for my liking.

• LCBO workers are still thinking about striking ... just when the nice weather is finally here! The news outlets are all saying its going to be a 'dry' summer for Ontario - but I will be darned if its going to be a dry one for me. I have waited much to long to indulge in some summertime sangria and slushy goodness - there is no way this new Mom is going without a drop after one looooooooooooong alcohol free summer last year! Screw that!

• Father's Day has been here and gone. And I just wanted to officially say 'Happy First Father's Day' to PC. He truly is an amazing Dad to our baby boy - he lights up at the sight of his son, and seeing their bond as father and son is something I will never get sick of witnessing. As well... a happy belated Father's Day to my Dad... who I didn't have a chance to speak with on father's day, but who I love dearly... and am always thinking of him - even when it's not Dad's day!

• I have been going to MomMeFit classes for a couple months now... and although the scale isn't really showing any crazy numbers for, I am just now realizing how much more endurance and strength I have from these classes. Every Wednesday and Friday morning, the instructors run us through the paces, while our babies sit on the sidelines and giggle. The classes are coming to an end for me next week (because I am away most of July), but I am really happy that I found these mom and baby fitness classes - thanks to MJ and Mel and MomMeFit for such a great experience.
  

• HOLY HOT! It's been sooooo hot here the last couple of days, and I am LOVING it. This is the kind of weather I had hoped for when I figured out I would be on maternity leave with an 8 month old during the summer. I hope this weather continues well into September.

• Belated birthday wishes going out to my Mother-in-law who celebrated her special day on Monday! We are getting together later this week for the official celebration, but wanted give her the bloggy shout-out since I didn't get a chance to see her on Monday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mom C!

• This past weekend, PC and I headed to Belleville to attend a 130-O wedding, one my roommates from University got married and we had a nice little reunion (minus one member who we missed dearly - Miss Texas). It was the first time we left E for two nights, and surprisingly it went well for E and for us! His grandparents watched him for the weekend (thank you to them), and although I missed seeing his smiling face, it was nice to get away for the weekend and have little 'us' time.

Well... that's it for Wednesday! I wish I had something insightful to say to wrap this up, but I don't! It's hot and muggy, and E and I are both ready for a nap! I will say to the working crew 'Happy Hump Day'... the weekend is half way here!

Overheard at the kitchen table!

The following is a conversation, that, in the best interest of a husband's sex life, should not occur...!

Out of nowhere....

PC: So... I know you got your hair done yesterday, but what exactly did they do?
Me: *silence* + *look of death*

PC: I mean I know its lighter, but it doesn't look like it use to look when you use to get it done.
Me: Thanks - I know.

PC: *back peddling* It looks good, it just looks different than usual.
Me: Umm-hmmmm.

So I'm married to 'Captain Obvious', lucky for me!

Seriously... PC does not think through some things before he opens his mouth (which is not anything new to me!). It's one thing if I bring up the subject ... 'does my hair look like good or does it look like I didn't really get much done?' But I am sure in the book '10,001 things a husband should not say or do EVER' ... this conversation has to be in there.

Oh men... will they ever learn?

VCUG test is DONE!

We graced the doors of CHEO yesterday for E's VCUG test... and I was very impressed with how things went.

First off... let me just say how WONDERFUL the people who work at CHEO are. This is the fourth time we have been to CHEO for one thing or another in the past few months and these people truly have a gentle way with children, that can make uneasy/scary situations into low stress affairs.

Yesterday, the radiology technicians we worked with were very nice and so good with E. I had heard mixed reviews from friends and blog readers about how the test would go. Some people clearly had bad memories from the test, others thought it wasn't so bad. After having it done, I am with 'not so bad' crowd - and I think this is due to staff at CHEO.

We arrived for the appointment on time, and we were given a room almost immediately. No sitting down and waiting and agonizing over what was to come - they called our names right away.

The technicians were very calming and encouraged PC and I to stick very close to E while the procedure was being done. They didn't make us feel in the way or out of place... and we did as much as we could to take E's mind off of the procedure. Of course, E being the nosey baby that he is, once the catheter was in, he went right back to checking out all of the screens and the tools in the room.

Yes, there were tears for a few parts of it, but overall he did smashingly! It wasn't long before he was back to being all smiles... and before we knew it we were in the car and he was sleeping like a baby.

The doctor who preformed the test said that she thought things looked good, but she would have to examine the x-rays in more detail before sending off her report. We should get the results in a week or two - but I am not going to stress about it, rather think positively that all will be well with the good kidney.

And what would a day in a E's life be like without the camera snapping a picture of him? He'll never know! Here he is in his little hospital gown... just before the we took him in for the test.

Isn't he cute?

Is this your nursery?

Last week... I put E down for a nap in the afternoon and I took the monitor downstairs with me. As I was cleaning up the kitchen I noticed some static on the monitor so I hit the video button on it to see what he was doing.

To my surprise, there was a two second flash of some other nursery. I knew this because E has a white crib, and this crib was clearly dark wood... and we have our camera so that you can see a close up of his face... and this nursery had more of full crib view.

I was totally creeped out. When I hit the button again, it was E, sleeping peacefully. I thought to myself that maybe that is was a pre-loaded standard nursery picture that comes on the monitor when you buy it, but since we've had our monitor for 9 months, and I had never seen this picture before I didn't stick with that story long. I tried to put it out of my mind but then it happened again.

We have a colour monitor and this time I noticed bright green nursery walls, and a white mobile hanging over the crib. The crib mattress is much lower than E's... so I said to myself, it has to be a baby that is older than him, as his mattress is still on the highest level.

I started fooling around with the channels on the monitor, but there are only two and when I switched the monitor to the other channel, I got a clearer view of this nursery. I committed myself to not going back to that channel... and thought this would be the end of it.

But the other night, I got up in the middle of the night to pee, and when I was getting back into bed, I noticed the lights on the monitor meaning E was either up or making some noise of some sort. In my sleepiness I went to turn the volume up and hit the wrong button ... which is when I saw a BABY in the other nursery rolling around and making some NOISE!

I immediately snapped out of it and woke right up, as I wanted to see if I recognized this baby as one of my neighbours... and then I could easily talk to them and try to figure out if we could get this channel situation figured out - but of course I didn't (not that I got a very good look at this baby's face), so now I have this view into some random nursery that could be in our neighbourhood, or could be some freaky sci-fi or Will Smith Enemy of the State movie in the making.

I have these fears that I am going to see this nursery and see this baby either trying to climb out of the crib or doing something really dangerous ... it will unfold right in front of me and I will be helpless as I won't know whose damn baby it is, and where the heck to send my 911 call for help.

A bit extreme? Perhaps... but the even creepier part for me is that, if I can see into this nursery, does this mean the video monitor owners on the other end have seen E from their side?

Ahhhhhhhh!
The video monitor might just have to go, if that's the case!

Swinging Weekend!

This past weekend productive.... I seemed to get a lot of stuff done around the outside of the house, but more than that, E had a new experience, which he LOVES - the SWINGS!

We went for a big walk on Saturday morning, and discovered a new play area in another development. I can see ourselves trucking to this play area often when E is a bit older and can request it! At any rate... when we stumbled upon the playground, we decided to stop and see if E would fit in the swings there.

He was a bit too small, but we packed him with some blankets and one of my sweaters and away we went... he started giggling instantly - he loved it! By the time I figured out how to work the video function on my blackberry, he got the giggling under control, but the smile and shrieking was still evident.

Check it out...

Since the video is a little grainy on You Tube... he are a couple of pics - he has his mouth wide open the entire time!


Since he had so much fun in the swings Saturday, we decided should get him a swing of his own... so PC headed out to CT on Sunday morning and picked one up, and then hung it in the garage for him. By Sunday afternoon, PC was cleaning up the garage and I was cleaning out the Escape, and E was happily swinging away in his swing watching us!

See... he absolutely loves it, and that is why I had such a great weekend! What did you get up to this past weekend? Did it involve swings?

The Kidney Update

I apologize for not getting this update sooner, we have been on the run a bit in the last week and haven't had much time to sit down and blog.

Nonetheless... here we go!

We saw a pediatrician last week... the appointment was informative and gave us an idea of what the issue is with E's kidney. He has what is called Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney, which sounds bad by the name, but the reality associated with it, is better than expected.

As I said in a previous post, the right kidney is made up of multiple cysts which were detected in a prenatal ultrasound. The cysts form due to abnormal fetal development of the kidney (which I am told could not be prevented, but am I thinking my trip to Dominican just prior to finding out I was pregnant may have been cause -- NO NO, of course not)!

The research I have done on this kidney issue says that Multicystic Dysplastic Kidney occurs as often as 1 in 4300 births - which isn't that often, but isn't super rare either!

One of the main issues with this diagnosis is blood pressure. When we saw the pediatrician last week she took E's blood pressure and it was HIGH. It was the first time he had his blood pressure taken so she wanted to do another reading the following day to ensure that it wasn't just a fluke. Luckily, we returned the next day and his blood pressure was much lower/normal, so she didn't rush us to a hypertension clinic, she sent us for some precautionary blood work (which is a whole other post).

The pediatrician is also referring us to a nephrologist who will follow E's case in the coming months. His blood pressure is going to be monitored by our pediatrician for now (every two weeks to start), and we will go from there.

In addition to E's right kidney, the original ultrasound he had a few weeks back, also showed some mild displacement in the ureter - the tube that flows from the kidney to the bladder - meaning that some urine was backing up in this tube which is suppose to have a one directional flow of urine. Because of this, the pediatrician wants to ensure that no urine is backing up into the good kidney, as this would be major cause for alarm.

So... next Wednesday we will grace the doors of CHEO again for a VCUG test which will tell the doctors if the good kidney is in jeopardy or not (which in my mind, it is NOT).

That is as much as we know to date... and surprisingly my stress level is not that bad. I think for me, the fact that E is so happy and outgoing - and doesn't show any signs of slowing down is keeping me from thinking that this small hiccup in his health is going to turn bad. For now, I am believing that he will go through life with one good kidney and that this kidney will not fail him, or us!

That's my story ... and I'm sticking to it!

8 Months Already!

Today marks E's 8 month birthday. 8 months old, and only 4 months left of my maternity leave (but let's not focus on that!).

At 8 months, E is tipping the scales at over 16 lbs, and is almost into number 3 diapers. He has to be one of the happiest babies around (in my humble opinion). Every day I am amazed at how much smiling, giggling, and outright laughing that he does. He is really easy going, and doesn't object to the many outings we do in a week.

He has 7 teeth at the moment and news ones are popping up all the time. We had one bad night recently that I think was due to teething, and conveniently PC was away on a golf trip that night! However, sleepless night in a very long time is nothing to complain about.

E is happily and clearly saying 'Da-da' now... its quite entertaining to listen to him and PC call each other's name through out a day. I have tried to have him practice 'Ma-ma' but the most he does is stick his tongue out make raspberry sounds ... which finds very entertaining - oh well!

At home, his favourite activities this month include sitting on his play mat, trying to rip up the edging of the mat so he can play with it for hours on end. He loves to open and close his little V-tech laptop computer, as well as sit in front of his Fisher Price Sing-A-Long Stage and stare at himself in the mirror. He can wiggle and move to all the songs is quite content when doing this. His jumperoo is still getting lots of use - he can really bounce high in it, and loves to squeal and shriek with delight during every ride!

This past month E has his first ride in a shopping cart, at the dollar store of all places, and he loved every minute of it. So much to look at and everything was at his level! He didn't stop cranking his head from side to side as we went up and down the aisles.

E has gone from belly surfing to moving in reverse, to round and round in a circle. He still hasn't master the crawl yet, but he gets his leg up and his hands firmly planted... he just hasn't put it all together yet. However, no longer can I sit him on the mat or leave him on his belly while running to answer the phone, or make my lunch from a distance. He has become pretty quick at getting anything and everything that (a month ago) was previously considered 'out of reach'.

While we've had some scares on the medical side of things this past month, I know that none of this has affected the attitude and development of E. He is still the most amazing baby boy to me, and I still am in awe of just how much love I feel for him.

As we are now approaching his first summer, I am excited for all of the firsts he will experience in the next couple of months. I think this summer is going to be so much fun, and I can't wait for it to start.

Yes... my baby boy is growing up - but he's still my baby, and as quickly as his first 8 months have pasted, I will always cherish these special moments and milestones I am sharing with him - they are the best!

So... without further ado, here is E's 8 month photo shoot. I am not sure what 9 months will bring as this shoot was the most challenging yet - you will notice the 8 month sign is a little worse for wear, but nonetheless the shoot was completed to keep with tradition.

Enjoy!

Visitors This Week!

Sorry to leave you hanging on a bad news note last Friday. We are to see the pediatrician this week, so when I know more, I will definitely keep you posted. Thanks to everyone who posted comments or sent me personal emails, I greatly appreciate your support and the many success stories you have shared with me about your friends and family who live normal/healthy lives with one kidney.

My parents are visiting us E this week.... so that has kept me from blogging just a bit, but nonetheless, I am happy to have them here!

Regular blogging duties will resume shortly - I promise!