Today was a day of Firsts (and Seconds):
*First time Caleb climbed up the stairs
*First time Caleb climbed up the stairs without me knowing
*First time Caleb fell down the stairs (I was well aware of this)
***Second time Caleb went to the ER
*First time he was diagnosed with a concussion
***Millionth time I shake my head frustrated with a son who never ever stops and wonder if I can handle this...
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
ER Visits and Hospital Security
Caleb and I had our first ER visit together last night. I don't recommend it, but that's just my personal opinion on the matter.
As many of you know, Caleb has an umbilical hernia. For the most part, this is a really minor medical condition where a piece of the intestines protrudes through the abdominal wall. It's more rare in Caucasian children than in other minorities, but Caleb has had his pretty much since we brought him home from the hospital. I can push it in and it makes a squishy sound and disappears back into his belly. But once I relieve the pressure, it will flop right back on out. The concern is that a piece of the intestines can get twisted as it leaves the body (kinda like a twisty-tie) and cut off circulation to the intestines-- its call incarceration. We're pretty lucky-- Caleb's hernia is rather small and hasn't given us any trouble-- until last night.
I got back from picking some friends up from the airport and Pete handed me Caleb and headed out for a meeting at church. Pretty much as soon as I grabbed him he threw up all over me. This was not baby throw up--- this was full on puking his guts up. He continued to do this several times (I was an absolute mess at this point-- emotionally and covered in vomit). I went up to give him a bath and as I was undressing him, I noticed his hernia was swollen and hard. He kept pushing my hands away and screaming anytime I tried to touch it, so that pretty much did me in. I called my standard baby emergency people-- my mom, my sister (an ER doctor) and Caleb's pediatrician. All recommended that I take the child to the ER.
So I rush him over to the ER, terrified that at this point he is going to choke on his own vomit in the car seat (I think they should take the imagination part of the brain out of new mothers-- it it way too over active). I get to the ER and in less than two hours the following has occurred:
1. Caleb sees a nurse, ER pediatrician and a pediatric surgeon
2. Caleb is given something to calm him down and stop the vomiting
3. Dr. Surgeon-man does something medically magical and reduces the incarcerated part of the intestines.
4. Caleb eats, laughs and goes slap-happy wild as he deals with withdrawal from medicine.
oh yeah, and...
5. My wallet and phone were stolen.
Apparently Caleb's intestines only "half" twisted, so the surgeon was able to manipulate it back into the abdominal wall without surgery. This is interesting for two reasons.
1. He was a surgeon who didn't cut Caleb open when he had the chance
2. This "half" twist supposedly NEVER happens... like they want to write about it in the journals.
Luckily, the surgeon was pretty convinced that we didn't need to rush surgery on him (they recommend having the hernia surgically repaired at age two if it doesn't heal naturally by then) and that he would be fine.
As for my phone and wallet? Looks like a long week full of days at the DMV, cancelled credit cards and heck-- a new iPhone?
:)
As many of you know, Caleb has an umbilical hernia. For the most part, this is a really minor medical condition where a piece of the intestines protrudes through the abdominal wall. It's more rare in Caucasian children than in other minorities, but Caleb has had his pretty much since we brought him home from the hospital. I can push it in and it makes a squishy sound and disappears back into his belly. But once I relieve the pressure, it will flop right back on out. The concern is that a piece of the intestines can get twisted as it leaves the body (kinda like a twisty-tie) and cut off circulation to the intestines-- its call incarceration. We're pretty lucky-- Caleb's hernia is rather small and hasn't given us any trouble-- until last night.
I got back from picking some friends up from the airport and Pete handed me Caleb and headed out for a meeting at church. Pretty much as soon as I grabbed him he threw up all over me. This was not baby throw up--- this was full on puking his guts up. He continued to do this several times (I was an absolute mess at this point-- emotionally and covered in vomit). I went up to give him a bath and as I was undressing him, I noticed his hernia was swollen and hard. He kept pushing my hands away and screaming anytime I tried to touch it, so that pretty much did me in. I called my standard baby emergency people-- my mom, my sister (an ER doctor) and Caleb's pediatrician. All recommended that I take the child to the ER.
So I rush him over to the ER, terrified that at this point he is going to choke on his own vomit in the car seat (I think they should take the imagination part of the brain out of new mothers-- it it way too over active). I get to the ER and in less than two hours the following has occurred:
1. Caleb sees a nurse, ER pediatrician and a pediatric surgeon
2. Caleb is given something to calm him down and stop the vomiting
3. Dr. Surgeon-man does something medically magical and reduces the incarcerated part of the intestines.
4. Caleb eats, laughs and goes slap-happy wild as he deals with withdrawal from medicine.
oh yeah, and...
5. My wallet and phone were stolen.
Apparently Caleb's intestines only "half" twisted, so the surgeon was able to manipulate it back into the abdominal wall without surgery. This is interesting for two reasons.
1. He was a surgeon who didn't cut Caleb open when he had the chance
2. This "half" twist supposedly NEVER happens... like they want to write about it in the journals.
Luckily, the surgeon was pretty convinced that we didn't need to rush surgery on him (they recommend having the hernia surgically repaired at age two if it doesn't heal naturally by then) and that he would be fine.
As for my phone and wallet? Looks like a long week full of days at the DMV, cancelled credit cards and heck-- a new iPhone?
:)
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Stairway to Heaven?
I fell down the stairs today. Thank you, very much.
I'm going to crawl back into bed now because it's the only way I can give my tailbone a break.
Stairway to Heaven? It feels more like the other direction...
I'm going to crawl back into bed now because it's the only way I can give my tailbone a break.
Stairway to Heaven? It feels more like the other direction...
Zoológico
Mom and I went to the zoo this week with my friend Lillian and her mom, Amanda. Mom thinks that I can see the animals and enjoy the zoo, but really, all I see is the brick wall keeping all the animals in place.
Mom thought I would look cute in this stupid egg thing... boy was she wrong!
Lillian is giving me hugs! (Or trying to strangle me, but I'm keeping it optimistic)
Mom did something with her hair. Not sure what though....
Lillian and I were wiped out by the end!
Even though I couldn't see the animals, I had a good time hanging out with Miss Lillian (she's soo pretty!) and it was nice to get out of the house.
I think it is important to point out that I post on this blog more than Dad does. Lame.
---Caleb---
Mom thought I would look cute in this stupid egg thing... boy was she wrong!
Lillian is giving me hugs! (Or trying to strangle me, but I'm keeping it optimistic)
Mom did something with her hair. Not sure what though....
Lillian and I were wiped out by the end!Even though I couldn't see the animals, I had a good time hanging out with Miss Lillian (she's soo pretty!) and it was nice to get out of the house.
I think it is important to point out that I post on this blog more than Dad does. Lame.
---Caleb---
Friday, October 17, 2008
Marathon Post
First things first-- Happy Belated Birthday to my mother and to my brother in law, Sean. They celebrated their birthdays last week.
My best friend Amy got married this past week and I was able to fly out to Utah for the wedding (THANK YOU Southwest frequent flyer tickets!). My mother was self sacrificing enough to offer to watch our little monster for the weekend so that Pete and I could have sometime together. I dropped Caleb off with my mom and spent her birthday with her and then flew out of Baltimore the next morning. Pete flew out of Philly and met me in Salt Lake. **Side Note** I managed to survive four days away from Caleb! It was bitter-sweet-- great not having to pack a diaper bag everywhere we went, but super sad that Caleb wasn't there with us. Note to self-- Provo is not the place to be when missing a child.
Upon arriving in Salt Lake, my sister in law Hanna graciously offered to help me spice up my hair. She is a life saver!
(My hair this summer)
(My hair when Hanna was done with it)
Quite the difference, ehh? It's been interesting trying to figure out how to style it (it kinda poofs with all the humidity here on the East Coast). But it's super fun to have something short and I love it. It's the first time I've ever had highlights or anything of the sort, (I know-- I'm so daring) but Hanna did a great job and broke me in gently.
Me, Amy and Lauren-- These girls are largely responsible for who I am (I know, I shouldn't blame them for this, but really-- it's true!) today and I was so excited to be able to see them both again.
Kevin (Butch) and Ryan-- Amy's brothers. This picture pretty much describes them.
Amy and Hans... They are just too dang cute together!
After the wedding, I was able to see Abby and her husband! Abby and I were friends freshman year at the Y-- she lived right down the hall... cute huh? She's super fabulous and it was great to see her again! Lauren gets to hang out with our friends from the Y all the time, so I was excited to be able to see some of them myself!
Tracy and Hanna graciously let us stay with them for the weekend. Their little girl Sophie is about three months younger than Caleb and is pretty much the cutiest little girl around. It was so nice to see them and it reminded me of how wonderful family is. I am so excited for them to come back East next summer for Tracy's internship. Until then, we'll just have to look forward to their visit at Christmas time.
I while I had a fabulous time in Utah, I couldn't wait to get back to the little monster! He seems to have forgiven me for leaving him. In fact, he was nice enough to cut a tooth while I was gone! Not having to deal with a teething child? Priceless. In my father's words though, "If that was how he acts while cutting a tooth, life just isn't fair." Caleb was so good for them, they didn't even know a tooth had come in! I practically had to pry my child out of my mother's loving hands when it came time to go.
I mean, how could you not love this face?
(I found Caleb like this the other day. He had dragged his high chair across the dining room to stand on it so he could get into the towels. It was too cute!)
Phew... I know! Anyone still reading gets two bonus points!
While Sean lives a little too far away to bother him on his birthday, I was able to drive down to Maryland to see my mom. For her birthday, I gave her the best present ever--- a weekend with Caleb! 
(My mom with Caleb this past Spring)
(My mom with Caleb this past Spring)My best friend Amy got married this past week and I was able to fly out to Utah for the wedding (THANK YOU Southwest frequent flyer tickets!). My mother was self sacrificing enough to offer to watch our little monster for the weekend so that Pete and I could have sometime together. I dropped Caleb off with my mom and spent her birthday with her and then flew out of Baltimore the next morning. Pete flew out of Philly and met me in Salt Lake. **Side Note** I managed to survive four days away from Caleb! It was bitter-sweet-- great not having to pack a diaper bag everywhere we went, but super sad that Caleb wasn't there with us. Note to self-- Provo is not the place to be when missing a child.
Upon arriving in Salt Lake, my sister in law Hanna graciously offered to help me spice up my hair. She is a life saver!
(My hair this summer)
(My hair when Hanna was done with it)Quite the difference, ehh? It's been interesting trying to figure out how to style it (it kinda poofs with all the humidity here on the East Coast). But it's super fun to have something short and I love it. It's the first time I've ever had highlights or anything of the sort, (I know-- I'm so daring) but Hanna did a great job and broke me in gently.
Me, Amy and Lauren-- These girls are largely responsible for who I am (I know, I shouldn't blame them for this, but really-- it's true!) today and I was so excited to be able to see them both again.
Kevin (Butch) and Ryan-- Amy's brothers. This picture pretty much describes them.
Amy and Hans... They are just too dang cute together!After the wedding, I was able to see Abby and her husband! Abby and I were friends freshman year at the Y-- she lived right down the hall... cute huh? She's super fabulous and it was great to see her again! Lauren gets to hang out with our friends from the Y all the time, so I was excited to be able to see some of them myself!
Tracy and Hanna graciously let us stay with them for the weekend. Their little girl Sophie is about three months younger than Caleb and is pretty much the cutiest little girl around. It was so nice to see them and it reminded me of how wonderful family is. I am so excited for them to come back East next summer for Tracy's internship. Until then, we'll just have to look forward to their visit at Christmas time.I while I had a fabulous time in Utah, I couldn't wait to get back to the little monster! He seems to have forgiven me for leaving him. In fact, he was nice enough to cut a tooth while I was gone! Not having to deal with a teething child? Priceless. In my father's words though, "If that was how he acts while cutting a tooth, life just isn't fair." Caleb was so good for them, they didn't even know a tooth had come in! I practically had to pry my child out of my mother's loving hands when it came time to go.
I mean, how could you not love this face?
(I found Caleb like this the other day. He had dragged his high chair across the dining room to stand on it so he could get into the towels. It was too cute!)Phew... I know! Anyone still reading gets two bonus points!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
World Series Bound!
I have to humble my Pittsburgh Pride and take a moment to Congratulate the Philadelphia Phillies. Tonight they won their series in game five against the LA Dodgers to bring home the National League Championship. On October 22, they will head to the World Series for the first time since 1993. (In all honesty, that's more than the Pittsburgh Pirates can say-- shoot, we just want a season ending above .500)
So even though I will completely deny this should anyone in Pittsburgh ask-- we're excited for the city and hope that the team can bring home.
I mean, c'mon, this city really needs a win. :)
So even though I will completely deny this should anyone in Pittsburgh ask-- we're excited for the city and hope that the team can bring home.
I mean, c'mon, this city really needs a win. :)
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Did you catch that?
A Temple in Philly!! Woohoo. Now I know that my friends in Pittsburgh are just about dying, since they STILL have a six hour drive to the Temple in Washington DC and here in Philadelphia we have two temples within a three hour drive (DC and NYC), but still... I'm totally pumped :)
According to the rumor mill (our stake president) the Temple will be located at Broad and Noble. How awesome is that? It'll be right along the mass transit lines-- making it totally accessible for those without cars, which is pretty common here.
We'll keep you updated. But seriously. We're going to have a Temple here. I think I might cry.
EDIT
According to the LDS News Room the Temple will be located downtown. We're so excited!
According to the rumor mill (our stake president) the Temple will be located at Broad and Noble. How awesome is that? It'll be right along the mass transit lines-- making it totally accessible for those without cars, which is pretty common here.
We'll keep you updated. But seriously. We're going to have a Temple here. I think I might cry.
EDIT
According to the LDS News Room the Temple will be located downtown. We're so excited!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Happy Day
Want a free handbag? Of course you do. Go to Handbag Planet and register for a free handbag give-away. And since they are going to give them away every hour, I am feeling nice enough to share this information with you. But if you win one and I don't, you owe me lunch. :)
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