We wish you a Merry Christmas!

HMB had a great Christmas. My husband's dad and his girlfriend came down a week before Christmas and gave him his presents, one of which is an Elmo's World riding car thing that makes lots of noise! His Grandma came down for Christmas. HMB got a little basketball hoop and a piggy bank from Grandma. We got HMB an old school Fisher Price phone and he loves it. He picks up the receiver and puts it up to his ear (he tries at least). I say, "Hello, who is it? Is it Grandma?" And he laughs! On Christmas evening, we went to my friend's parents for dinner and HMB got even more gifts! A Steelers place setting, including a plate, cup, bowl and spoon and fork. And some adorable Merrill shoes! Oh, and how can I forget the Sleep Sheep from Jeanelle!! I think she wants HMB to get in his own bed almost as much as we do!

11 months old!

My, how time flies! I cannot believe that about 11 months ago, my mom was here and we were trying everything to get HMB to come out! First was the hot sauce - my mom bought a bottle and I ate it on everything! Then the castor oil, which I had a breakdown after I took because I thought I might hurt HMB, but that didn't work either! I was already walking an hour a day so I didn't think walking would coax him out. HMB had his own plan! I was induced at about noon on the 21st, but didn't make much progress. My water was broken at about 5pm, epidural at about 7pm, no pushing until TEN hours later!! And after 2 and a half hours of cursing, ice chips, and pain, a little boy was born! 7am on the 22nd.
Because I was in labor for so long and had a fever, HMB was wisked to the NICU and given an IV flush of antibiotics to make sure he didn't have an infection. He didn't and 2 days later, we were on our way home. Sadly, because HMB took so long to get here, my mom had to leave the day after we came home. She cooked up a storm that day though, leaving us with mac n cheese, soup, and other tasty treats. Thanks, mom!! Then, the real fun began!
HMB - you are so cute! You have a giant head and I love it! You smile and dance whenever you hear music! You day mama and make lots of noises. You might even walk soon! Happy 11 month birthday HMB! I love you!!!

What to blog about?

I guess I could write about the Winter Wonderland that has kept us hostage in our house for...ok, I guess it's just 1 day but I get antsy!! I attempted a walk to the store yesterday, there weren't many cars out and it was eerily quiet. There was a crabby HMB back home so I didn't make it the store. Instead I went to the 7-11 100 yards from our building and got some goodies. This is the biggest storm we have had in December since the 60's, I think. We have probably 15 inches outside, which is huge for DC! I hope this isn't a preview of what's to come this Winter. I am not a fan of the snow, or cold weather for that matter.

Something else to ponder is HMB's continued cough. It has been almost a week! Tomorrow, I think I will call the doctor. Don't they always say, if symptoms persist for 7 days...It seems to be just as bad as it was when it started, maybe he doesn't cough as often but it's a raspy cough. Poor little guy!

Sick Boy

The night before last, HMB was up many times during the night, coughing and hacking. I felt so bad for the little guy! He woke up with a full blown cold - runny nose and cough. I know there isn't much I can do except keep his little nose dry and hope he doesn't get too crabby! I have also been trying to keep him away from other little babes, I haven't gone to the gym in two days and I was supposed to watch my friend's daughter but had to cancel. I thought about bringing him to the gym this afternoon anyway but I think it's kind of selfish to bring your sick child to the daycare just so you can work out! Looks like I will be running outside in 30 degree weather when my husband gets home...and here's to hoping we don't spread this cold around the family several times!!!!

4am Trips to 7-11...

Thursday started like any other day. HMB and I went to the gym, he played, I sweated. We ran some errands and had a good day. That night, the Steelers were playing so we ordered some calzones from one our favorite places, YUM! I went to sleep at about 10:30pm...then woke up at 12:44am with horrible stomach pains and an unhappy baby. HMB was up and awake and stayed awake for at least an hour, then the real fun started. I threw up violently and proceeded to about once an hour for the rest of the night. There was nothing left in me, when would this stop?? Through it all, HMB was not sleeping, but screaming like I have never heard before! Do I call my mom, do I call the doctor, do I go to the ER - for me, for HMB? All of these questions going through my head, we both fell into a fitful sleep. Thankfully, at about 4am, my husband walked over to our strategically placed 7-11 next door for ginger ale and gatorade (neither of which I would be able to hold down for a few hours). As I sat on the bathroom floor, puke in my hair, not caring if my hands hit the toilet water, I thought: It must have been the calzone! Although my husband wasn't sick, we had different toppings - him meat, me veggies. E. coli maybe??
At about 6am we woke up, puked one more time and then, calm. My abs were sore, my throat was on fire, but I didn't feel like I was going to vomit. HMB, having not really slept at all either, napped from about 7am-10am, I napped with him for an hour. My husband went off the work, with a furrowed brow and his own bags under his eyes. I canceled the daycare reservation at the gym and didn't even have second thoughts (and you know I must have felt bad if I did that). HMB and I went to the store and got some Cup O Noodles, the best sickness food. And we relaxed as best as we could all day. My stomach would not be the same until Tuesday morning (as I write this). Saldy, my husband caught the bug (not food related as we thought) on Saturday and is still not feeling right. Of the 5 parties we had over the weekend, we managed to make it to 2 of them!! We wouldn't have been any fun anyway!!

Why I Love My Doctor

I've been having some stomach issues for the past few months. I have been to the doctor before and have tried a couple different things. Since my symptoms persist, I headed back with HMB in tow to get checked out again.

First, let me tell the story of my first meeting with Dr. P: It was December and I needed a physical, I had just run a marathon and felt good and strong. I got weighed and the first thing Dr. P did was circle my weight. "We need to take care of this", he said. "What?" I gasped. I just ran a freaking marathon, I thought to myself. I told this to Dr. P and he reported that humans were indeed meant to run and good for me! We went on to talk about other things and I found that, despite the weight thing, I loved this doctor! He listened to me and asked questions. He was crazy, but he was mine!

This leads me to my current visit. The first thing Dr. P did was ask about HMB: how old, how much does he weigh, does he sleep through the night? HA HA HA! NOPE! We proceed to talk about different things I could possibly have and, of course, Dr. P asks if I am pregnant. I don't think so and I couldn't imagine going through a first trimester with an HMB that doesn't sleep! Dr. P tells me some doctorly things to help my symptoms. As I am walking out he says, "You don't have anything bad, but if you do, we will cure it!!" Sweet, thanks Doc!

Christmas is coming...

It's true, it's December 6th and I haven't bought a single gift! Luckily, my family doesn't really exchange gifts (four younger brothers, 3 still in school and the whole family 2-3,000 miles away). But my husband's family does exchange gifts, which I actuall find quite nice, since it means I get to do some shopping and gift-giving without having to buy for a hundred relatives (which I have). So, I will brave the stores over the next couple of weeks searching for the perfect gifts for grandparents, for my husband, and maybe a couple for HMB.
In addition to Christmas coming, my husband and I have been talking about the holiday traditions we want to keep and have with our own family. One will be getting an advent calendar each year, as well as stuffing little things in stockings that the kids can open before the parents wake up. Now if we can only get a bigger place so we can actually decorate the right way and maybe even have a real tree one day!!

ABBA...really?

Awhile ago, I was watching Mamma Mia! on HBO with HMB in the room playing. When the first song came on, he turned to the tv and stared in awe. Hmm, my baby liked Mamma Mia!, musicals, or possibly ABBA songs? I didn't think much of this until the movie came on again, and the same reaction from HMB only this time, he seemed even more interested. A couple weeks later, I came across my old ABBA cd (I got in from Columbia House, remember that scam?). I popped it in the cd player in the car and started playing some songs. Oh my goodness, HMB started shaking his head to the music, he was so happy. Now, any time HMB is in the car and a little crabby, I just put on a little Dancing Queen and he stops fussing and bobs his head around. It's the funniest thing! A couple days ago, we took HMB to a condo association board meeting, he started to get tired and fuss so my husband decided to take him home. I got a text message a few minutes later saying "He loves him some ABBA". And indeed, he does!