Things that suck

When I got my radioactive iodine pills for the thyroid scan, I was told no breastfeeding for two weeks. Since HMB is 13 months and I have made it that illustrious year, I figured weaning would be just fine and life would go on with HMB happily drinking cow's milk and eating people food. Well, it didn't turn out exactly as planned. While I was in the hospital, I pumped before I had the iodine to give HMB a little more breastmilK and to make myself a little more comfortable! I pumped and dumped a little more to also make myself comfortable but then left the amazing Madela industrial pump at the hospital and found my little baby pump just wasn't going to do the same for me. There were definitely a few uncomfortable days but I got through it, the worse part was the emotional loss of breastfeeding. Sorry to post about breastfeeding but I have to get it out. I was seriously going through a mini depression from having to stop! Am I sane? I wasn't sure until I started to talk to some other people about it, namely one of my very good friends who had a baby12 days before HMB and she weaned at 11 months. Things are getting better, thank goodness, even though HMB started to "ask" for it again by pulling my shirt up but he will survive! And I thank everyone for their awesome support through it, whether you've been there or not!

Another thing that sucks: HMB waking up before 6am for three straight days in a row! We don't call him HMB for nothing, it's true! But come on, baby, maybe just until 7? I don't want to pass out at 9:30pm every night when I am trying to hang out with my (younger) brothers! The nice thing is that he is going to be OK, even though he has to sleep with me so far becuase although we have a pac n play, we have no mattress for it!!!

One thing that did NOT suck: HMB was awesome on the flight out to CO!! We had the whole row to ourselves and he played and played until he tired himself out and passed out for the last hour of the flight! He didn't cry or really even fuss much, it helped that he had so much room to play in! Thank you, HMB, for not being so HMB for a few hours!

Sick baby, sick mommy

Oh wow, lot's to talk about! First, HMB has been sick (again) with a cough, runny nose, and, most recently, a fever! After sleepless nights, warm foreheads, and snotty noses, we called the doctor and took him in. Verdict: HMB has an ear infection and is taking antibiotics! As for mommy of HMB, she is not so lucky. As I have discussed before, I have been having stomach issues for about 6 months. Lately, I have had some other symptoms - hand tremors, fast heart rate and high blood pressure. I went to my doctor last week and they decided to test my thyroid. I left hoping and praying for an answer! This morning, I woke up with a start to find my heart racing and thudding in my chest. OK, something is wrong, I thought. My husband woke up, feel my chest, I said, as I poured a cup of coffee. Wow, he said, that's crazy...and slowly back away from the coffee!! I called my mom even though it was only 5am in her time zone. She didn't answer so I frantically called mother in law, a retired nurse. She asked me some questions and said it might be thyroid related. My mom called me back and asked her own questions. I looked at my husband and he asked me what I wanted to do, go to the ER, I said. So we packed up HMB and headed over. Now, I went to the ER about a month ago for my fractured wrist. It was 10pm on a Sunday and I was in and out in 2 hours! Not the case this Tuesday morning, with fresh snow on the ground and more in the forecast. We waited about 3 hours to see a doctor. The hooked me up, marveled at my high blood pressure and crazy heart rate, and took some blood. A couple hours later, after HMB had gone home for a nap, I got the answer: thyroid, a very, very hyperactive one at that! The doctor told me I might need to be admitted due to my heart rate. What? I have never been without my HMB!! I didn't believe him, but I was wrong! The nurse came in and filled out some paperwork, a doctor came in and asked questions, a physician's assistant came in and asked questions, another doctor came in and asked questions. Then I was whisked upstairs to a private room with a nice view. After I was taken down for a thyroid ultrasound (no nodules!), another doctor came and discussed the next steps. They didn't know if it was thyroiditis or Graves disease. Tomorrow, I will be filled with radioactive iodine to find out. After that test, I will not be able to breastfeed for two weeks or hold HMB for long periods of time and definitely NOT swap saliva (no smooches?!?!).
My husband is all alone with HMB and I love him for being so wonderful and supportive! It might be a rough two nights without mommy there, and more rough nights when I can't pluck HMB out of the crib and snuggle with him on the futon couch for half the night. But I am so glad I finally know what is wrong. Thyroid issues cause hand tremors, high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and other symptoms I didn't even know were related (sinus issues) plus the stomach issues. I know HMB and my husband will be all right, and I just might be, too!

Friends Forever...even across an ocean!

Birthday Madness

HMB turned the big 1 last week! We didn't do anthing major because as exciting as a first birthday is, let's face it, HMB probably won't remember it!! We had a few friends over and my husband's parents came down from PA. The best part of the night, by far, was the amazing mess HMB made with his cake and ice cream (ok, frozen yogurt). It was over the place and a sight to see! HMB went straight from the high chair to the bath and opened his presents in his jammies!
HMB's first birthday also made me reflect upon the last year we have had with our curious little chubster! I couldn't have imagined the life change that is being a parent, but I wouldn't have it any other way! Yes, HMB doesn't sleep well and he's a mama's boy. But he laughs when he throws things on the ground, he loves the splash in the bathtub, and he LOVES to dance and listen to music. Happy first birthay, HMB, Bearsky, Pooper, etc. WE LOVE YOU TONS and can't wait to see what the next year brings!!

Do I have cake on my face?

Sleeping baby...sick baby!

We were doing so well!! HMB was going into his crib at night and sleeping until at least 1am, sometimes 3am, 4am, once even until 6am! It was amazing and I was enjoying going to bed in my own bed at night without a 23+ pound chubster next to me. Then he got sick...Runny runny nose, cough like a baby should not have, watery eyes. Poor kid! The first night was rough, he did go to sleep in his crib but woke up soon after, not able to go back to sleep. I have a hard enough time letting him cry it out let alone whenhe is hacking away. The next few nights were tougher, HMB would wake himself up coughing then he wasn't able to stop coughing. I broke down and got the futon bed out and slept with HMB two nights in a row. Last night, I had a meeting and my husband put HMB to bed - and by bed I mean HMB fell asleep on his chest and ended up on our bed. I am hoping he is getting better and on the upswing. I called the doctor and they said to give him a little Benadryl to dry him out. I gave him some this morning and he has been napping for 2 and a half hours. HMB's got a big weekend of partying coming up so I hope he gets better for that, and he starts sleeping in his own bed again for my sake!

Took me 27 years...

My husband and I like to stay active, we were active before we had HMB (I played softball until I was about 17 weeks pregnant) and we will continue to be active. Well, last weekend, while being active, I didn't do so well...We were playing flag football for the University of Colorado alumni team. We won two games on Saturday and made it to the Elite 8. In a heated game against Johns Hopkins University, I ran aggressively on to the field and fell...hard. I was in shock for a bit, my knee and left hand hurting. Our resident orthopedic surgeon on our team took a look and said I was fine. I went into the game a few plays later. We beat JHU, woo hoo! We were the lucky ones who go to stay out in the 25 degree weather for another hour and a half. The next game, we were up against Tufts, we were good but they were better and we lost! We held out heads high though, making it to the Final Four! I trekked home with HMB in tow and did some cleaning. Dang, my left hand and wrist REALLY hurts! I eat some lunch, the left wrist is now throbbing, I take some Tylenol and put some frozen corn on my wrist. I called my husband to tell him I was thinking of going to the ER. He came home soon after, looked at m wrist and told me I would be OK. He said I should just call the doctor the next day. The hours go by and my wrist is swollen and seems to be getting worse. OK, HMB is in bed (his crib, more on that in another post) so I head to the ER. Forunately, our city isn't too bad and the hospital is small so there is NO wait! I go right in and see a physicians assistant. Wow, you are the second girl today to come in with a football injury, she says. I get some x-rays done and they tell me I have a hairline fracture. I am all wrapped up in a splint and given some pain meds(THANK YOU!). I schedule an appointment with an orthopedist. The day before me appointment, the ER calls. To follow up,I think? Nope, to tell me that the radiologist looked at me x-ray and there is no hairline fracture (thank goodness) but an actual break in the bone (dammit). I see the ortho and he puts me in a soft cast that I can take off when I shower (or feed HMB or wash dishes or make dinner...). Oh, and by the way, you also have a fractured bone in your elbow! Gee,thanks! No worries, there isn't anything you can do for that!
I started playing sports when I was about 5 years old, playing softball for the Chipmunks and soccer for the Unicorns. It took me 27 years to break a bone, I guess that isn't so bad!