The humor of it

Cory and I both made a decision to be a lot more positive when it comes to dealing with Henry's whining.  I know that I can't change others, only myself, so I decided to apply it to my boy.  Now, of course, I was thinking that it might have a chance of quelling some of the whiiiiiinnnniiinnngggg, and, guess what.  It did.

Every child is different and needs different things, and Henry really, really needs laughter at any expense-mine, his, Daddy's, Penny's, the wall's... anything.  If he refuses to get in his bed and wants to lie on the floor and whine, then I say, "Oh, you made me so happy!  I really, really wanted to pick you up and toss you in the bed!"  The whining stops, and it's replaced with my favorite sound--his laughter.

I also know that not letting on that my skin crawls is part of the reason why the whine is short-lived.  I mean, who doesn't like getting under their mother's skin?  I know I sure enjoy it.  If he's not getting the expected result, then why continue?

And, I know that no child is perfect, but these last few days, I am feeling like everything is back to being pretty close to perfect.

Last night, I thought he was about to start whining after he got in bed, which would have been expected since it was well past his bedtime.  He made a sad, pouty lip face and reached for Coco (his favorite stuffed elephant) and said, "Coco always wants to be with me, but, tonight, he has a cold.  Mama, I need you to take care of him for me."  Then he handed me Coco and selected a different stuffed animal.  Once that was over, I asked if he thought Coco might feel better, and he said, "Yes, I can sleep with him now.  He's not feeling sick anymore."

Grave subject, but no whining involved.

Yo Ho! Trick or Treat!

Just off the shores of Never Land 

A hideaway at sea

A pirate band outwits the plans

Of Captain Hook and Smee

 The merry crew of Never Land Pirates

Through and through -- they're jolly buccaneers

 Join with Jake and the Never Land Pirates

Come along -- we need some volunteers!

Climb aboard, me hearties, and be a pirate true

Let's go!  With Jake and the Never Land Pirates

We'll set the course together.  Come on and join the crew!

Yes, I know that my pirate Izzy costume was pretty much a fail, but Henry appreciated my efforts.  And a big thanks goes to Baby Ezra (not pictured) who graced us with his candy corn self and braved the chilly weather with Baby Elgin.

I also want to remember that, tonight, Henry loved saying "Trick or Treat!" and thanked everyone for his candy.  When he was given multiple pieces, his eyes would light up, and he would turn to me and announce, "She gave me TWO PIECES!"  He also loved handing out candy when we were at our own house and even relinquished several boxes of Nerds, this year's favorite candy.  

When we were leaving one house, he grabbed my hand and said, "When we get home, I'm going to share my candy with you, Mama.  OK?"  

My sweet pirate.

Happy Halloween! Yo Ho!  Let's Go!

Good morning

Cory let me sleep in and took Henry to school on Tuesday.  I got to snuggle with little EW.

My heaven is snuggling with my babies.

A very special visit

Elgin met Granddaddy on Saturday.

It was a happy meeting, and I can't wait for them to hang out again.

Elgin proved to be a good listener, too.  His typically random left and right crosses and hooks became a choreographed affair, following Granddaddy's coaching.  

You should have heard the silly noises coming from these men.

Giving peas a chance

Henry refuses to eat most things at the beginning of each meal.  It's just part of his routine.  Tonight, he was making a huge deal out of not liking peas.  He did want more cube steak, though, which he could get after he ate his peas.  Oh, the drama...

 But what's funny is that he likes peas.  Do you see any look of distaste on this face?

I think he just likes to put up a fight.  He is incredibly strong willed, but, in the end, the hope of steak will win.

What he doesn't know...

Today, my oldest son's school was on lockdown while a man who attempted to shoot a police officer was being searched for in a three mile radius.  At first, I was calm, but then I started to get super antsy and anxious.  Daddy picked him up as soon as the lockdown was lifted.  He's fine.  We're all safe inside our home on the cold, rainy Friday evening.

I love my family.  I love my three boys so much.

Henry doesn't know that the campus was locked and no one was allowed to leave or enter or that there were parents whose hearts skipped beats every time a news bulletin flashed.  He doesn't know that Daddy had to speak with a police officer before entering the one open gate later in the afternoon.  He came home happy as could be, and his sweet face instantly washed away my fear.

We played "I Spy" and a pattern game and listened to a Halloween Party station on Pandora.  We watched "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," and had just a generally silly evening.  When H got out of the shower, he declared himself a kid monster who takes people's skin and throws it in the trash and leaves pull ups on the floor and doesn't cover his mouth when he coughs.  (Aside from the skin part, it was very endearing.)

He doesn't know that I held his sleeping little brother and paced the floor this afternoon.  What he does know is that he's comfortable--safe and happy.

I love my kid monster.  I love him.

Stats and more

Elgin's two month well visit today was, well... interesting. 

First, here are his stats from his weigh in and measurings: 

Elgin is in the 57th percentil for his weight of 12 pounds and 7 ounces, which is only an ounce off from my guess of 12 and a half pounds.  The nurse accused me of weighing him in the produce department before bringing him in.  Not so, but what an adorable picture my little Elgin would make as a mellon on a scale.

Secondly, his length remains in the 97th percentile at 24.5 inches.  He gained an inch and a half since his one month appointment!  Obviously, growing is going well.

And, as far as heads go, he is holding steady at the 79th percentile at 15.75 inches head circumference.  He's also holding his head itself fairly steady despite his distate of tummy time. 

Now for the interesting part--his poop.  I changed a poop diaper as soon as I got there, and then he pooped again while I was nuring him and waiting for Dr. Song.  (He does his pooping in the AM hours, which is nice when compared with Henry's preference for pooping all night.)  Dr. Song walked in and saw that Elgin was eating, so she progressed with her questions before doing an exam. 

Does he eat well?  Yes.
Do you feel like you produce enough milk?  Yes.  I over produce and have a whole lot in the freezer.
Does he spit up?  Some, but not much.  Not even everyday.
Does he pee well?  Yes.
Does he poop well?  Yes. 
Does he smile? Yes.
Does he follow a line of sight?  Yes.
Any concerns? Nope.  He's awesome.

Then, when Elgin was full, she placed him on the exam table and removed his diaper, knowing that she would see baby poop.  But, what she didn't know, and neither did I, was that she would see something else.

There it was.

Blood. 

Yep, blood in his diaper.  There was no skin irritation, so it clearly came from inside.  I said, "Oh, no.  Milk allergy?"  Her face said it all.  The nurse came back with a positive for blood test, and Dr. Song told me that I could cry if I needed to.  I said, "I don't need to cry.  I need a drink since my milk is no good, anyway."

All that stored milk--no good.  Pretty devastating.  Dr. Song quickly told me not to throw it away.  In the worst case scenario, I can donate it.

My new diet?  No dairy and no soy.  I'll do anything for my babies.  Anything.  Even give up tall glasses of milk with spaghetti.  Label scrutiny, almond milk, and no cheese pizza, here I come.  Frozen breast milk,  you stay put. This milk allergy better be a first year thing, and you will be used eventually and hopefully by my son.

I'm sad but thankful that he's healthy overall and that there is a fix--however diffuclt it may be.

Bye-bye Krispy Kreme celebratory donuts.