Some updates

To my few readers, I am so sorry that I haven't posted in a LONG time! I guess as blog readers and writers well know, sometimes life gets in the way and it seems like the summer has been a hard time to be consistent with posting! A few other things that have lead to less posting: my computer charger "died" and I just got it replaced, lots of softball games to be played, and sadly that's really it! We haven't even gone on vacation! I figured I could take this blog to do some updates, both on my recovery and HMB's sleep and overall development.

My revovery: So far, so good! It will be three months on August 26th since I had my thyroid removed and I am finally on a good dose of synthroid. I take 75 mcg Mon-Sat and a half a tab on Sun. Kind of random but that's how it works. I take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach and wait at least 30 minutes before eating breakfast.

Overall, I feel so much better! Compared to a year ago, it is night and day! I will say that when I was on the anti-thyroid meds, I didn't have any symptoms at all. For some reason, even though I no longer HAVE a thyroid, I seem to have a couple symptoms still - some stomach issues, crazy hair loss, and a very strong pulse (not fast, just strong). The doc doesn't seem too worried but even though my levels are normal, she decreased the synthroid that last little but to see if those symptoms disappear.

I plan on seeing a gastroenterologist in the near future to assess my stomach issues and make sure there isn't something else I should be doing. But as I said, I am so much better than I was before - more energy (running every day, woo hoo), no high blood pressure (110/70 at the doc), no tremors, etc. Sadly, I have lost none of the weight I gained when I started taking the medication back in Feb, but I am taking that one day at a time and continue to tell myself that my health is more important. Also, since I lost up to 50% of my muscle mass, I am working on getting that back and as we all know - muscle weighs more than fat :)

HMB and Sleep: The kid is almost 19 months old, he still cannot sleep through the night! He takes great naps, he tosses and turns and gets himself back to sleep, but at night, there seems to be a block! We went through a rough period when both top and bottom molars were coming in when HMB wouldn't even go down in the crib at night. He seems to be feeling better and now will go down in the crib and sleep anywhere from 2-4 hours. Then he wakes up and without that damn handcuff, I sleep walk and get him and lay with him on the couch until about 6am. That's all I have to say about that...

HMB and Growing: At his 18 month visit, HMB weighed in at 23 lbs, 1oz and was 34 in tall. Head size still big at 80th percentile, even though he is about 35th percentile for both height and weight. I was not a big baby/toddler so I am not too worried that he's a little below average. The kid does like to eat - including spinach and broccoli, and any kind of bean!

HMB and Talking: HMB is a talking fool. He will repeat any word you say, most recently "Dude" when I said it last night. He has a bunch of words he uses regularly, too many to count now, which is pretty cool.

HMB is also into mimicking and has started to cross his arms over his chest, as well as squat down low and look at you like his dad does to him. It's pretty hilarious! HMB is a very social kid and loves to be surrounded by attentive, attractive women. He will give hugs and smooches, but prefers high fives and fist bumps. He is also obsessed with "cheersing" with his milk and whatever you are drinking. Also hilarious!

I guess that's about it! Hopefully, you are still checking this blog and didn't give up on me! I will try to be better about it for the rest of the month!!

The "Question"

We got pregnant with HMB about a year after we got married. I guess to most people this seems like an acceptable amount of time to wait, or even too soon. I'm not sure but I don't remember getting many "When are you having a baby?" questions at all. But now...woa! I guess once you pop one out, people are very interested in knowing when there will be another one coming. I have fielded this question from friends, family members, and perfect strangers in the past few months.

Now, I am generally one to give out too much information (TMI) even when not prompted or asked. And the inquiries don't really bother me too much. It's just a matter of explaining the reasons, then realizing that I don't have to really justify anything to anyone (good friends excluded because sometimes they just want to know).

Chris (my husband, just in case there is anyone left who doesn't know his name) was talking to a couple of women from our softball team the other day. In their defense, I do think the question was more along the lines of ARE you guys having another baby as opposed to WHEN are you having another one. When he relayed this story to me, he couldn't quite remember the exact words but it was something along the lines of: Well, due to breastfeeding for almost a year and a half and having a hyperthyroid, Susanne hasn't gotten her girly thing back yet...but she's taking some medication to get it back and then...(he stops talking here). Then an awkward pause. Hey, they asked and he answered!

OK, I give Chris props for talking cycles with two women, and I could care less who knows all that information (as a previously mentioned TMI'er). But this is why it's sometimes better to just stay away from that question. Sometimes the answer is long and involved, sometimes people don't want anymore kids. I have thought about the answer to this question a lot after being asked it so many times over the past few months. My answer to people I don't know (at all or very well) is: It's none of your damn business! No, not really! I just say that we would like to have another baby but not right now. Again, due to my TMI nature, if you are a friend or I know you even relatively well, watch out because you WILL get the full story!!

The fact of the matter is, we would like to have at least one more child, a little brother or sister for HMB who will hopefully have the same disposition but sleep better (please please let our next one sleep better). First, I need to get myself healthy and the last year has been a little rough on me. Creating a new life is pretty damn exhausting and I feel like I need to be on the top of my game, not two months out of recovering from a disease that hit me like a ton of bricks.

All that said, I honestly don't care if I am asked that question, I just don't always know how to answer it! Everyone will just have to wait and see!