What's the Little Man Up To?

I feel like I haven't given an update on the little mister in a while, probably because we've been blessed to see all our family in person over the last few weeks and they got to watch this kid's growth first hand. But, for my own memory, I want to document what he's up to:

Standing on his own. He's getting pretty darn steady on his feet and will read a book, play with toys, etc while standing. He bottoms out as soon as he loses balance or wants to move, so we're not quite near walking just yet. And, just like the pre-crawling phase... I'm okay with waiting.

Babbling machine! He's got some words (dada, wa wa, doh (dog?), baba). Some of which have meaning, some don't. But he talks all day long.

We're both recovering from a nasty diaper rash.

He's on a milk strike. Refuses to touch milk since we took away the bottle and formula. Since he's not filling up on milk, he's eating like a horse. Seriously considering starting to do my grocery shopping at Costco.

He teased me and drank it for a second one day. Then laughed in my face.

His bottom tooth finally popped through this week, and now he has a total of seven teeth. A break in teething hell means he's been sleeping a lot better (two days of sleeping in past 7:30 am!) and much less cranky during the day.

Giving kisses. He will put his mouth on me or stuffed animals if I say give a kiss. He does not like to perform, so it's hard to get him to do it consistently, but yesterday when Emerson was over at our house playing, he gave her a kiss and she gave one back. So stinking cute.


Climbing. Onto everything. Stairs, boxes, chairs. He doesn't know how to get down yet, so that's been fun. 

We are ready for a month at home for the holidays! All our shopping is done, the house is decorated, and this little guy is ready to celebrate his second Hanukkah (though his first where he'll be awake for the celebrations!)

And that's what he's up to! 

Observations of a Stay at Home Mom

It's been a busy couple of weeks full of airplanes, turkey, chaos and shopping. The spinning of my head is finally slowing down and I'm feeling on top of my to do lists. We had a great Thanksgiving and are ready for the holiday season to hit us full force! So, here I am, blogging about some stuff that's been on my mind.

As a teacher, I was trained to observe. Observe students' behavior, observe other teachers' techniques, observe my own use of language and so much more. I've been observing for so many years it is really just a part of who I am now. So, you can imagine I've been making some interesting observations over the last year in my new role as mom. Thought I'd share some:

• Stay-at-home moms like to shop (groceries, errands, etc.) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. We like spending the weekends with our families and we know Mondays are busy at the stores because of all the people who put off their to-do-lists on the weekend. We also are exhausted by Friday and don't want to think about entertaining a baby in a shopping cart. 

• We are also the ones who take forever at the checkout counter. We are searching through our coupons and organizing our bags so the perishables are all together. You see, when you live in a condo with no attached garage, you have to be strategic about which grocery bags you can carry inside with your very heavy baby and which can stay in your car until your husband comes home to bring the rest in.

• Parents are the only ones who routinely stop at crosswalks. The city of Chicago has even put up signs at crosswalks reminding drivers to stop for pedestrians, but most don't. I've noticed most of the time, when I'm walking with Cam, it's the moms and dads who stop to let us cross.

• Moms complain together and brag together. Your kid was up all night screaming? Well mine was a monster yesterday with a fever. Your kid can stand on one foot and recite the alphabet backward? Well mine can drink from his sippy cup while standing on his head.

• Business men do not want to help you on an airplane. Even when you're trying to calm a crying baby while putting together a bottle and juggling all the toys your child has thrown from the diaper bag. No, they'd rather put in their earplugs and pretend you're not there. 

• Moms, however, will entertain your baby by cooing and laughing with them and tell you how great your kid did on the flight despite him squealing and yelling loudly for the majority of the time. 

• Moms use the daycare at the gym for relaxing time, not workout time. Some drop their kids off, go to the locker room and sit in the comfy lounge with their Kindle. (I haven't done this yet, but it seems like a great idea and the lady at my gym really looked refreshed when she went to pick up her kids!)

I love being part of this very special group of people. There's a lot to observe, and I can only imagine what others have noticed about me! Here are some pictures of the Mister from the past few days...

 

12 Month Stats

Well, Campbell and I went to the doctor today for his twelve month check up. He got an A+ from Dr. T and she was so happy to see his big smile and laugh. He even started playing peek-a-boo with her. So sweet.

Here's what Cam is up to at 12 months old!

Height: 29 5/8" (50th percentile -- woot woot!!)
Weight: 24 lbs. 3 oz (90th percentile)
Head Circumference: I forget the measurement... (75th percentile)
Number of teeth: 6

This kid has figured out so much just in the last couple of weeks. I feel like he hit a huge mental growth spurt! Here's a list of some of his latest "tricks":

• Plays peek-a-boo by hiding behind me or using something to cover his face
• Can point to his head and tummy
• Knows how to do "SO BIG!" 
• Starting to wave "Hi" 
• Performs downward dog on command (ha!) 
• Plays pat-a-cake and will "roll it" by rolling his hands
• Gives kisses by tilting his head and pressing his mouth on a surface (person or object)

He says "dada" all day long. I'm pretty sure he knows who Dada is because when we FaceTime with Rick he'll squeal "Dada!" He is repeating a lot of the sounds and words we are saying. He says, "Oooo" on the page of the book that reads, "Oooh goes the wind!" He says "nana" and "nanneee" and we're pretty sure he's asking for his Nanny. His favorite "word" to say is "dooo." Can't wait to figure out what that one means!

He's still pushing walkers around like it's his job. He has stood unassisted several times for less than a minute, but he has no interest in taking any steps yet. He's very comfortable on his feet, moving from furniture piece to furniture piece. He is still getting into everything, but responds well to redirection or when I say no in an unhappy tone. In fact, he's quite sensitive and cries pretty hard when I "discipline" him by telling him not to do something. Little guy doesn't like to disappoint his mama... wonder where he gets that from!!?

We are recovering from a yucky stomach bug, so we're waiting on the transition from formula to whole milk until his stomach is settled. That means one more week with bottles for this lucky duck... oh how he will miss his bottles!

He's still a really good eater and will usually try anything we give him. It may take him a day or two to decide he likes it, but he'll typically eat it. However, he has recently become quite picky about which foods he likes on which days. One day he loves turkey and the next he's throwing a tantrum because you even suggested he should try it! He's definitely got opinions and it's kind of cute.

He's still my flexible little guy who will sleep in the car or on me, travel happily to and from various houses and states to visit family and friends. He can get cranky when he's overwhelmed by too many people or noise and is certainly most comfortable with his mom or dad, but it's very easy to get him to laugh or change his mood by tickling him or throwing him in the air.

He's still waking up early in the mornings but will play happily in his crib until we get him. He takes two naps (about an hour and a half each) around 9:00 and 2:00 each day.

It's still so surreal to think an entire year has passed since this little guy came into our lives. Maybe it'll sink in by the time he turns two.


Take a look at how much he's grown! (Though his face is exactly the same!!)

James W. Mathews

Yesterday, we said goodbye to my father-in-law, Campbell's Pop-Pop and namesake, James Mathews. He passed peacefully last week after an incredibly strong and hard fight against cancer.


Yesterday, Rick and others shared beautiful memories of this courageous and loving man. I'm terrible at keeping it together during sad times, especially while watching those I love suffer, but I wanted to pay my own tribute to a great man who raised three remarkable children and set such a brilliant example as a husband and father.

So, here's what I want my son, to know about his Pop Pop:

He was witty and smart. Sometimes I didn't even know what his jokes meant but I laughed along anyway because I knew he was so wise, and I soaked it up.

He was an animal lover, like you. He loved his fur babies and took care of the animals up north who roamed the area. He loved watching and feeding the birds, and he wouldn't hurt a fly. 

He taught his children to think for themselves, be passionate about what they believe in, and stand up for the people and things they care about. That is not easy to do, but he did it by example.

He was a fantastic fisherman and made a mean fish fry. He taught me how to hook my own worm and was the only one who was allowed to call me "Gill" (as in Blue Gill, the fish). He was also the only person I'd wake up at four in the morning to go fishing with. That's love.

He was one of the warmest, most understanding and loving men I have known and loved. He always told me he loved me, even before I married your dad. He already had a wonderful daughter, but treated me like his own anyway. He worshiped your Nanny and treated her like the queen she is. In fact, he treated everyone like they were royalty because his heart was that big.

He loved you. Oh, how he loved you. He loved making you laugh, he loved watching you play with the dogs, and he loved trying to teach you to say Oskee Wow Wow. He was so proud to share his name with you, and I know you will continue to make him proud as you keep him in your heart and think of him every time you sign your name.


My heart aches and I miss him very much. I know it will take time to heal, and I feel so lucky to have my little boy to remind me of this incredible man every time I look at him. What a gift to us all.

One.

My Sweet Campbell,

I've been thinking for a long time what I wanted to write to you today, on your first birthday. I've been thinking hard, but all I can come up with is tears. No, don't worry, I'm not sad. I'm not sad at all. My tears are tears of joy, pride, nostalgia and a tiny bit of fear. Fear that the many years to come are going to fly by as quickly as this last one.

My love bug, you have absolutely no idea what you did to our lives when you came out to meet us one year ago today. I remember it like yesterday. I remember the jitters I had as we drove to the hospital. I remember the look on your dad's face when you entered our world. I remember the longest ten seconds of my life when you arrived but hadn't cried yet. I remember it all.

We had a rocky start to this amazing year. You came home from the hospital with a nasty rash on your bottom, you didn't take very easily to nursing, and you were soon diagnosed with acid reflux, all of which led to a pretty stressful household. But, we figured it all out and believe it or not, I miss those early days. I miss those middle of the night sessions you and I had rocking and singing and feeding and listening to white noise. I miss those days of driving you for hours to places like the airport just so we could get you to sleep. I miss them because we made some really great memories from those challenging times. That's what families do.

I love so much about you, I could fill an entire book. I love the obvious things like your smile and your infectious laugh. I love the way you bounce your tush up and down to dance. I love that you only hold your bottle for yourself at night when we are rocking. I love that you're most comfortable in your mama's arms, but you always manage to break through your comfort zone and explore the world around you. I love that you have strong opinions, even at such a young age. I love it all.

You know, before you were born, people would tell me how amazing motherhood is. They were right. It is out-of-this-world fantastic.  Since I was a little bitty girl, I always wanted to be a mom. I wanted to take care of babies and drive them to soccer practice. I wanted to cook dinner for them and play with them and wipe away their tears. Bunny, you have given me the best gift I could have ever dreamed of. You made me a mom. And for that, I am eternally grateful. You are, by far, the best thing I have ever done with my life.

All my love, now and forever,

Mommy

EE

Long post ahead. Proceed with caution.

Ever since I moved to Austin at the ripe age of ten, I have been plagued with the worst allergies known to man. I started immunization therapy (allergy shots) around eleven years old, have been on countless medications, I have eczema and sensitive skin, and have recently developed horrible asthma in the last few years. My biggest triggers are changing season and cats. I've learned to deal and go on with life with a runny nose, mostly because I have never wanted to miss out on something because of my allergies. As a kid, I used to sleep over at my friend Emily's house all the time, but she had a cat and a Golden Retriever which was a recipe for allergy disaster. Each time my mom would pick me up from her house, we would drive home, she'd strip me of my all my clothes, send me to a steam shower and drug me with Benadryl. But I kept going for sleepovers because it was worth it for me to spend time with good friends. Same is true now when I go up north to see my in-laws who have three cats and a dog! It's life, and I don't want to miss it.

In January, 2010, I wound up in the ER because I choked on a piece of chicken during my lunch break at work. When the doc removed the chicken from my esophagus, he also did a biopsy of the tissue and diagnosed me with a condition called Eosiniphillic Esophogitis and referred me to some specialists. It is a fairly new disease, but becomes more common in people with severe allergies. Essentially, just like allergens in the air make me sneeze and wheeze, allergens that I am ingesting cause inflammation in my esophagus and make it difficult for me to swallow and sometimes even choke. Since that initial choking incident, I have experienced three other significant ones (all of which required someone to perform the Heimlich on me or force myself to throw up multiple times to move the blockage from my airway). It's scary stuff, and with no cure for this condition, I have become more frustrated and scared about being alone when this happens.

None of my doctors had answers, and finally after talking to a friend who also had been diagnosed with this condition and doing some research of my own, I found a new allergist who is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about this disease. I met with him last week for the first time and we went through my history and medical records and he smiled at me and said, "You are a textbook case of an allergic mess. And I'm going to help you." He was so positive, so forthcoming with information and so eager to find me some comfort, I told him he was going to be my new best friend.

After explaining to me the most current research on EE and asking me what I've previously tried: swallowing, rather than inhaling, an asthma inhaler medication to decrease inflamation in the esophagus. He agreed that my case of EE was pretty severe if I've had so many choking instances and told me we should probably take an immediate and pretty severe approach to finding the cause of this. In the last couple of months, a recent study came out that showed 80% improvement in EE patients when they followed the Six Food Elimination Diet. The six foods to eliminate are the six most common allergens (wheat, soy, eggs, dairy, nuts and shellfish). My heart about stopped when he told me this is what he wanted me to do. I didn't even think this was humanly possible, but after panicking for a couple of hours, asking for suggestions on Facebook (thanks friends!!) and doing a little more reading myself, I am feeling more confident and secure that this is the best option for me right now.

The plan is to do the SFED for one month and go back to the doctor at the end of November to check my progress. I'm looking for a decrease in difficulty swallowing and choking incidents, and the doctor will also want to start taking regular biopsies of my esophagus to see if the "allergy cells" are decreasing. Seems invasive and like a lot of work, but as he explained to me, this is a life-threatening condition if I choke and can not dislodge the impaction. That put it into perspective for me. I can definitely survive without ice cream or pasta for a little while if it means I won't have to worry every time I chew my food.

So, my new diet started today. I had black coffee and oatmeal for breakfast, and I plan on eating a lot of fruits and veggies for the next month. Depressed? A little. Thinking about Thanksgiving (my favorite holiday of them all!) makes me sad, but I'm a little excited thinking that this new way of eating will help my jeans fit better.

I hope I've shed some light on a fairly new condition and maybe there's someone else out there suffering from the same thing who wants to give me some hope on what has worked for them! And, if any of you out there follow an egg-free, dairy-free, soy-free, wheat-free, shellfish-free, and nut-free diet, send me some of your favorite recipes and tips to making this work!


Of course, to avoid a pictureless post, here are a few pictures from our Trick or Treating adventures last night with Leela D.