Musical Daddy's birthday was yesterday, but we were waiting for my parents to come into town. We got a cake to be eaten today. My parents ordered a nice dinner for us, to be delivered from the Kosher store. I got a cake for him. The dinner was fantastic, and we were going to have cake a bit later.
He wasn't feeling marvelous all day anyway. To be expected at this point in the chemo cycle. The Boy had two colossal pukes today. When it happens, recently, he brings up a LOT of liquid. It's odd. It's as if he isn't even processing it. He has to be processing some liquid, because he's peeing. He had normal meals, though. And snacks. Some things made it through and some did not.
This evening, he fell down the stairs.
We live in a bi-level, so it was half a flight. Not as bad but not good. He was dragging a Boy-sized suitcase behind him, the gate wasn't closed, and he just went the wrong way.
Musical Daddy and my father took him to the hospital. Currently, they are on their way back. The Boy seemed to have no major injury except a knock on his head that made him mad but wasn't otherwise affecting him...as in, he was still watching TV and naming numbers, he didn't show any signs of trouble in his eyes. They were considering a CT scan if his platelets were really low but they weren't low enough for them to be as concerned. He didn't throw up after hitting his head either (not that there was much left in his stomach anyway). So he was very shaken up but is okay...nevertheless we'll be watching him very carefully.
We never did eat our cake. I think they are just getting home.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Snoring Symphony
My parents arrived at about 1AM. Tiny Guy woke up not long after and of course my mother swooped in and grabbed him.
I fed him, and then she changed him and took him again. I don't have any problem with Grandma getting some of those baby snuggles.
The Boy was up a few times but was easily resettled.
Now, at a bit after 7AM, I'm awake. Tiny Guy was awake but fell back asleep on my lap.
And everyone else is snoring. I guess Musical Daddy doesn't snore too much, but The Boy does to an extent. Not that you can hear it over the sawing that my parents are doing.
But as wonderful as they are, they can snore all they like.
I wish I were still sleeping but I'm...just not. Fortunately, with my parents being here, I don't have to worry about being able to grab a nap at some point. My father can take the boys for a walk (it's been over 2 decades since he's handled a double stroller). I figure that with there being 4 adults and 2 children in the house right now, someone can generally catch a nap.
Last night the boys and I went to see Musical Daddy direct his chorus at a gazebo concert. You'd think that taking two children to an outside show, where they don't really need to be quiet, would be easy, but it certainly was not. The Boy had a good time, except that he frequently wanted to try and go get Daddy, which of course he wasn't allowed to do. But he was able to play with the guys before the show and even go on the playground...which I really didn't want because his white count isn't fabulous but hand wipes are a good thing. Tiny Guy was hungry but didn't necessarily want to eat well. So he was mad for much of the evening. And eating frequently.
I saw one of the chorus teachers from school. He said that it's hard to believe that school is starting soon. I told him I wished I was coming back to school but circumstances being what they are, it wasn't happening. He didn't realize that I'm actually on leave and am slated to return in the fall of 2010. I think I will, too, even though The Boy will not quite be done with treatment. I'll need to burn through most of my sick days at the beginning of the schoolyear and will probably have to have other people help me with The Boy's appointments, as he is currently going to the center twice a week. Sometimes, when he goes for counts, we can tell that he is fine and doesn't need anything done to him. I guess the whole thing becomes so routine.
Anyhow, since Tiny Guy is asleep on my lap, I may just join him for a few minutes.
I fed him, and then she changed him and took him again. I don't have any problem with Grandma getting some of those baby snuggles.
The Boy was up a few times but was easily resettled.
Now, at a bit after 7AM, I'm awake. Tiny Guy was awake but fell back asleep on my lap.
And everyone else is snoring. I guess Musical Daddy doesn't snore too much, but The Boy does to an extent. Not that you can hear it over the sawing that my parents are doing.
But as wonderful as they are, they can snore all they like.
I wish I were still sleeping but I'm...just not. Fortunately, with my parents being here, I don't have to worry about being able to grab a nap at some point. My father can take the boys for a walk (it's been over 2 decades since he's handled a double stroller). I figure that with there being 4 adults and 2 children in the house right now, someone can generally catch a nap.
Last night the boys and I went to see Musical Daddy direct his chorus at a gazebo concert. You'd think that taking two children to an outside show, where they don't really need to be quiet, would be easy, but it certainly was not. The Boy had a good time, except that he frequently wanted to try and go get Daddy, which of course he wasn't allowed to do. But he was able to play with the guys before the show and even go on the playground...which I really didn't want because his white count isn't fabulous but hand wipes are a good thing. Tiny Guy was hungry but didn't necessarily want to eat well. So he was mad for much of the evening. And eating frequently.
I saw one of the chorus teachers from school. He said that it's hard to believe that school is starting soon. I told him I wished I was coming back to school but circumstances being what they are, it wasn't happening. He didn't realize that I'm actually on leave and am slated to return in the fall of 2010. I think I will, too, even though The Boy will not quite be done with treatment. I'll need to burn through most of my sick days at the beginning of the schoolyear and will probably have to have other people help me with The Boy's appointments, as he is currently going to the center twice a week. Sometimes, when he goes for counts, we can tell that he is fine and doesn't need anything done to him. I guess the whole thing becomes so routine.
Anyhow, since Tiny Guy is asleep on my lap, I may just join him for a few minutes.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
How to get to Sesame Street
We decided to go for it and take the boys to Sesame Place yesterday. We were a little bit apprehensive about The Boy's physical well-being. He wasn't great about keeping his food or drink down at home...but since this was likely the last good counts day for awhile, we didn't want to waste it. We brought a few changes of clothes, the Clorox wipes, his SPF outfit (which is actually a swimsuit!) and whatever else you normally bring when you travel with little tiny kids.
We arrived at the park after 3, meaning that we paid the "twilight" price. This is the best thing to do when your kids are under 4 or so. Under 2 is free, so only Musical Daddy and I had to purchase tickets. We got an orange armband for The Boy, meaning that we didn't need to wait in line for anything. They are very kind to families with medical issues. Someone asked us about it, and my response was, "you really don't want an armband." I'd rather wait in line than "earn" the armband but we are dealt certain cards. Anyhow, there wasn't much that required waiting in line that we actually did, but it's good to know that the option is open for us, not to have to worry about it.
The Boy seems overwhelmed, but in a good way, at seeing his favorite "people" brought to life. He got a photo with Grover, Elmo, and Abby. Daddy got kisses from Elmo, as did Tiny Guy
The Boy rode on the carousel at the beginning and near the end of the visit, once with each of us. We would have all gone, and one of us would have sat on the bench with Tiny Guy, but we had to take pictures!
One of the highlights of the visit was the "Elmo's World" show. They took the format of "Elmo's World" from the end of Sesame Street and brought it to life, complete with Mr. Noodle's nephew Mr. Noodle. It had basically the same segments and was about the same length of time. In addition to being able to sit right up front for the show, Tiny Guy was the baby in the "Elmo will ask a baby" bit, and he even got the question right! The question was "How do you pretend to be a fish?" and he was making those motions with his mouth because he was hungry. Silly little man. The Boy was transfixed by the whole thing--Elmo's World is real??!???!!!
There were letters and numbers everywhere, of course.
We talked to a Jewish family that we saw, just to make conversation, and of course to ask them to daven (pray) for The Boy. Turns out, they are on their way home to Chicago and will be stopping in Pittsburgh today, so I told them to call my mom and ask for help finding food.
The parade was fantastic at the end of the evening. The Boy was interested in everything going on and even started dancing to the music, on his own. Of course, all of the major Muppet characters were there.
Tiny Guy was mostly too young to appreciate any of this, although he was interested in the stage lights during the Elmo's World show. He was fed several times during the trip. Fortunately, he is already getting faster at nursing, and I am getting more comfortable with him, so it was not such a big deal to just sit at the nearest bench and feed without any issue. I am discovering that part of his problem in being "fussy" is actually my problem and it will have to work itself out. For those in the know, it is called an overactive letdown and he just gulps too fast to try to get at all the milk. This happens less often if he is eating really frequently but he seems to want to space out his feedings a bit more (thank goodness for small favors) and more often than not only wants to take one side at a time. Most of the time at the park when I'd sit down to feed Tiny Guy, Daddy would have something fun to do with The Boy. Two of their meetings with characters (Grover and Zoe) coincided with Tiny Guy's need to feed.
The Boy also spent about 20 minutes in the gift shop at the end just looking at stuff.
I don't think that we'll get a chance to go back again this summer, but next summer, we'll have to plan several outings around "good counts" days. It's not incredibly far for us to get to Sesame Place and might be a nice meet-up spot as well.
Last night wasn't so great for The Boy--he woke up about as often as Tiny Guy did, clearly in some kind of pain. He got some Tylenol and perhaps felt better. This morning, he was up without any issue, ate a mini-bagel and drank some milk (people milk) and went off to the center. Seems like BP might be trending low and potassium might be high, because of the pains, so I held off on the Vasotec this morning. Don't know if The Boy needs blood or platelets today. I'm actually guessing that he doesn't need either but will need one or both on Monday. I am also really hoping that he stays reasonably healthy for this weekend, because my parents are coming to visit and I'd really like them to have fun with the kids.
I'm adjusting to having "kids" although it's a major change. It is true that going from having 1 to having 2 is the most difficult, at least from my perspective. Particularly considering that kid #1 is still a baby himself. I need to accept that while I am going to do my best to keep them both happy, occasionally one of them will have to wait for things, and it really depends on who needs what more.
Musical Daddy's birthday is today. He's very young for his age. He is getting some presents today, and some presents tomorrow.
We arrived at the park after 3, meaning that we paid the "twilight" price. This is the best thing to do when your kids are under 4 or so. Under 2 is free, so only Musical Daddy and I had to purchase tickets. We got an orange armband for The Boy, meaning that we didn't need to wait in line for anything. They are very kind to families with medical issues. Someone asked us about it, and my response was, "you really don't want an armband." I'd rather wait in line than "earn" the armband but we are dealt certain cards. Anyhow, there wasn't much that required waiting in line that we actually did, but it's good to know that the option is open for us, not to have to worry about it.
The Boy seems overwhelmed, but in a good way, at seeing his favorite "people" brought to life. He got a photo with Grover, Elmo, and Abby. Daddy got kisses from Elmo, as did Tiny Guy
The Boy rode on the carousel at the beginning and near the end of the visit, once with each of us. We would have all gone, and one of us would have sat on the bench with Tiny Guy, but we had to take pictures!
One of the highlights of the visit was the "Elmo's World" show. They took the format of "Elmo's World" from the end of Sesame Street and brought it to life, complete with Mr. Noodle's nephew Mr. Noodle. It had basically the same segments and was about the same length of time. In addition to being able to sit right up front for the show, Tiny Guy was the baby in the "Elmo will ask a baby" bit, and he even got the question right! The question was "How do you pretend to be a fish?" and he was making those motions with his mouth because he was hungry. Silly little man. The Boy was transfixed by the whole thing--Elmo's World is real??!???!!!
There were letters and numbers everywhere, of course.
We talked to a Jewish family that we saw, just to make conversation, and of course to ask them to daven (pray) for The Boy. Turns out, they are on their way home to Chicago and will be stopping in Pittsburgh today, so I told them to call my mom and ask for help finding food.
The parade was fantastic at the end of the evening. The Boy was interested in everything going on and even started dancing to the music, on his own. Of course, all of the major Muppet characters were there.
Tiny Guy was mostly too young to appreciate any of this, although he was interested in the stage lights during the Elmo's World show. He was fed several times during the trip. Fortunately, he is already getting faster at nursing, and I am getting more comfortable with him, so it was not such a big deal to just sit at the nearest bench and feed without any issue. I am discovering that part of his problem in being "fussy" is actually my problem and it will have to work itself out. For those in the know, it is called an overactive letdown and he just gulps too fast to try to get at all the milk. This happens less often if he is eating really frequently but he seems to want to space out his feedings a bit more (thank goodness for small favors) and more often than not only wants to take one side at a time. Most of the time at the park when I'd sit down to feed Tiny Guy, Daddy would have something fun to do with The Boy. Two of their meetings with characters (Grover and Zoe) coincided with Tiny Guy's need to feed.
The Boy also spent about 20 minutes in the gift shop at the end just looking at stuff.
I don't think that we'll get a chance to go back again this summer, but next summer, we'll have to plan several outings around "good counts" days. It's not incredibly far for us to get to Sesame Place and might be a nice meet-up spot as well.
Last night wasn't so great for The Boy--he woke up about as often as Tiny Guy did, clearly in some kind of pain. He got some Tylenol and perhaps felt better. This morning, he was up without any issue, ate a mini-bagel and drank some milk (people milk) and went off to the center. Seems like BP might be trending low and potassium might be high, because of the pains, so I held off on the Vasotec this morning. Don't know if The Boy needs blood or platelets today. I'm actually guessing that he doesn't need either but will need one or both on Monday. I am also really hoping that he stays reasonably healthy for this weekend, because my parents are coming to visit and I'd really like them to have fun with the kids.
I'm adjusting to having "kids" although it's a major change. It is true that going from having 1 to having 2 is the most difficult, at least from my perspective. Particularly considering that kid #1 is still a baby himself. I need to accept that while I am going to do my best to keep them both happy, occasionally one of them will have to wait for things, and it really depends on who needs what more.
Musical Daddy's birthday is today. He's very young for his age. He is getting some presents today, and some presents tomorrow.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
phew! ...and sleep...
The Boy went to bed with little fanfare. Except that to accomplish that feat I had to leave Tiny Guy in his bed and he was NOT happy about that. There has to be a better way.
End result is that The Boy fell asleep at 8:30 while I was singing to him and nursing Tiny Guy. After getting off the phone with my mother, I put Tiny Guy back in his bed, asleep.
Then my mom called. She worries about me.
Unfortunately, in order to reach the phone, I ended up twisting my already-sore back. I took some Ibuprofen after talking with her (thank goodness that stuff is categorized as safe for nursing moms because Tylenol isn't going to cut it with this back pain). I'm not usually one for taking a bunch of medicine but I have to believe that this one will do the trick.
I still hear Tiny Guy fussing around in there. Not crying or even making much noise but I hear little grunts and I just know that he's awake.
"They" say that the best thing to do is to put babies to sleep in their own beds when they are drowsy but awake, so that they can fall asleep and wake up in the same place and the same state of being. I guess this issue doesn't really apply when your kid sleeps with you. Or when both do. I would just really like it if he'd be able to sleep in that little bassinet sometimes. For the space issues, and so that we didn't waste our money on the thing, if nothing else.
When Tiny Guy sleeps for a long stretch in the middle of the day, usually it is in his carseat, because he had fallen asleep on a walk or even in the car. I have never tried to move him from the carseat to his bed, because I don't want to ruin his nap. But he stays asleep for hours in that carseat. He stays asleep for a long time in the sling but can't really be put down because he wakes up once that happens.
Hmmm...I don't hear him, so maybe he is asleep after all...nope, I heard another little noise...
We are hoping to go on a major excursion tomorrow afternoon. We want to go to Sesame Place as an early birthday present for The Boy. And because it is probably his last good count day for awhile. If he is sick, though, we won't. As in, if he has another giant puke tomorrow or looks pasty or is acting not like himself, we'll have to do it another time. Such is life.
End result is that The Boy fell asleep at 8:30 while I was singing to him and nursing Tiny Guy. After getting off the phone with my mother, I put Tiny Guy back in his bed, asleep.
Then my mom called. She worries about me.
Unfortunately, in order to reach the phone, I ended up twisting my already-sore back. I took some Ibuprofen after talking with her (thank goodness that stuff is categorized as safe for nursing moms because Tylenol isn't going to cut it with this back pain). I'm not usually one for taking a bunch of medicine but I have to believe that this one will do the trick.
I still hear Tiny Guy fussing around in there. Not crying or even making much noise but I hear little grunts and I just know that he's awake.
"They" say that the best thing to do is to put babies to sleep in their own beds when they are drowsy but awake, so that they can fall asleep and wake up in the same place and the same state of being. I guess this issue doesn't really apply when your kid sleeps with you. Or when both do. I would just really like it if he'd be able to sleep in that little bassinet sometimes. For the space issues, and so that we didn't waste our money on the thing, if nothing else.
When Tiny Guy sleeps for a long stretch in the middle of the day, usually it is in his carseat, because he had fallen asleep on a walk or even in the car. I have never tried to move him from the carseat to his bed, because I don't want to ruin his nap. But he stays asleep for hours in that carseat. He stays asleep for a long time in the sling but can't really be put down because he wakes up once that happens.
Hmmm...I don't hear him, so maybe he is asleep after all...nope, I heard another little noise...
We are hoping to go on a major excursion tomorrow afternoon. We want to go to Sesame Place as an early birthday present for The Boy. And because it is probably his last good count day for awhile. If he is sick, though, we won't. As in, if he has another giant puke tomorrow or looks pasty or is acting not like himself, we'll have to do it another time. Such is life.
Family Fun
I've resigned myself to the fact that Tiny Guy is just going to cry all the time. He nurses whenever he wants but sometimes he is done, as he indicates by unlatching, pulling really far, or just screaming. Then he screams some more. A diaper change sometimes helps. Sometimes not.
Tonight at dinner The Boy puked up everything he had eaten. Fun stuff. Tiny Guy was already screaming. And of course continued to do so as I cleaned up the mess. The Boy wasn't happy either. He is now just fine. He wanted applesauce.
And Tiny Guy was fed again and was screaming until just now. It's a good thing The Boy has patience.
Tonight at dinner The Boy puked up everything he had eaten. Fun stuff. Tiny Guy was already screaming. And of course continued to do so as I cleaned up the mess. The Boy wasn't happy either. He is now just fine. He wanted applesauce.
And Tiny Guy was fed again and was screaming until just now. It's a good thing The Boy has patience.
Monday, August 3, 2009
You'd think it could only get better
Tough morning at the center for counts. I figured that I'd take both boys, because that's what I'll be doing frequently, and Musical Daddy wanted to go into work.
I have two very high-needs children and it is pretty darned difficult to do for both at the same time. So I have to figure out ways to balance things out. For example:
Rule 1: never pick up The Boy while nursing Tiny Guy unless it is in the recliner at home. Picking him up anywhere else causes back pain. And further injury.
Rule 2: there are people at the center who would be perfectly willing to hold Tiny Guy for a bit, who is generally cranky in the morning. Let them.
Rule 3: don't feel guilty about the fact that the baby cries. It's louder to the person holding him than it is to anyone around me.
Rule 4: find a way to get the results of blood tests sooner. So we can leave sooner. And show up early for the same reason.
Rule 5: when possible, don't show up alone. Two boys and me means that I am outnumbered.
So now I'm sitting here with a sore back and hoping that Tiny Guy will sleep a little longer before waking up to eat.
I have two very high-needs children and it is pretty darned difficult to do for both at the same time. So I have to figure out ways to balance things out. For example:
Rule 1: never pick up The Boy while nursing Tiny Guy unless it is in the recliner at home. Picking him up anywhere else causes back pain. And further injury.
Rule 2: there are people at the center who would be perfectly willing to hold Tiny Guy for a bit, who is generally cranky in the morning. Let them.
Rule 3: don't feel guilty about the fact that the baby cries. It's louder to the person holding him than it is to anyone around me.
Rule 4: find a way to get the results of blood tests sooner. So we can leave sooner. And show up early for the same reason.
Rule 5: when possible, don't show up alone. Two boys and me means that I am outnumbered.
So now I'm sitting here with a sore back and hoping that Tiny Guy will sleep a little longer before waking up to eat.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
It's...quiet!
I have had almost no time to sit at the computer and update. It's been crazy in the house with two children who both need LOTS of things.
The Boy is okay. Still not back to his normal self. Granted, he hasn't been himself for the entire month of July. Or half of June, or much of May, or the end of April. While in the hospital this last time, he ate very little. Once he got home, he did decide to eat.
Yesterday's diet consisted of mostly fruit. Not great for the kid who has already been pooping too much.
Tiny Guy had his 1 month checkup, albeit a bit early. He is 11 pounds 1.5 ounces and 23 inches tall. Big dude. He is clearly eating well although I'm still having trouble off and on in the nursing department. Oddly enough, he has decided that he will sometimes take a bottle from me, and pumping is much less painful than a hungry little nursling on open wounds, so he's been having bottles today. We found the right bottle nipple for him, which is the same one that The Boy preferred as a little one. Has to be the rubber Nuk nipples. Not the clear silicone ones. But anyhow, a large chunk of the day like this will hopefully allow me to heal properly.
So much for the quiet...but just to summarize, everything is kinda okay for now.
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