Aprilabe

No, we didn’t get a new car (much to Conrad’s dismay). I am referring to Kayle’s Physical Therapy appointment yesterday (8/27). It was really different being on the “other” side of the therapy mat (vs. being the one doing the treatment). It brought back memories of my early days of working in outpatient pediatrics.

Anyhow, our PT’s name was Colleen. She was very nice, informative and made me feel a whole lot better about the whole diagnosis of Torticollis and how it happens in utero. She gave us some stretching exercises (which I began doing on the spot–she laughed and told Kayle she had no worries about him getting his stretches or tummy time. She knew I would be doing it all!) and some positioning tips. Some I had tried already. Nonetheless, I felt better after it was over. It won’t be a quick fix, Colleen said. The torticollis is moderate…not the helmet wearing type (phew!) but he is tight in his left shoulder and neck.

I showed Conrad the exercises so he can torture our kid too. It is tough to see Kayle cry…but I have to press on because I don’t wanted a crooked head kid!

So with all that said, we will go weekly for the next month or two, then every other week. They will see him through early developmental tasks. His PT will be a lady named Monica and she has two kids of her own so we can chat “mom-to-mom”. The reassuring thing is that Torticollis detected early is treatable. Kayle does keep his neck upright at times and will even do the “Indian Bobblehead” jig. It is very cute. He is such a cute kid and a happy baby. Glad for that!

Phew. Glad that is over. I don’t know who cried more. Kayle getting the shots, or me, watching Kayle CRY the hardest I have ever seen him cry while I held his arms and talked to him to try to reassure him. The nurse was really great and was pretty fast…though it seemed like an eternity.

The Stats: Height  22 1/2 inches; Weight 11 lbs 9 oz (whoa!) He is about 7 ounces shy of doubling his birthweight! (Thank you, Thank you! taking a bow. I feel proud!)

I am still feeling the effects of the appointment though. Mostly because the doctor also felt the need for a Physical Therapy appointment to check out possible Torticollis (go ahead, google it). I thought he was leaning his head to the Left a bit more than his right…but I would try to put him in positions to turn his head both ways. Over the past week or two, I really was concerned about Torticollis. But then when she mentioned it first, I thought “Great, why didn’t I remember to tell her first that I was concerned.”

I looked it up on the internet. Torticollis. I knew what it was from having seen a PT work with a little baby back in my outpatient pediatric days in OT. But I didn’t know ALL about it. I had to stop reading because I was getting worked up. More on this after the PT visit. But right now I am just feeling a bit emotional. This parenting thing is hard. Wow. I mean, I am already feeling emotional and like a bad parent. Am I the only one???

Ok, finally I am blogging about this big event! Where to begin. Well one night, Conrad and I…just kidding…I won’t go back that far!

Monday June 18th looked like this. My mom came and got me and took me to my OB/GYN for my 39th week check up. I saw Midwife Susie that morning and she said baby’s head was down. Maybe 80% effaced. And only a dimple open. I didn’t think anything would happen that week. In fact, my mom had brought her pool stuff and we were going to go swimming after the visit. That week I had planned to catch up on some reading (last minute baby book prep) and hang out at Barnes and Nobles a lot. WRONG!

Susie wanted to check the baby’s position via ultrasound. Yep. Head down. But what is this? Amniotic Sacs looking low? Not a lot of fluid as to be expected at this stage of the game? Hmmm. She wanted us to get checked out by one of the Tech’s. That meant going to the Alpharetta office. I asked her, “should I call my husband?” She said, “yeah, he might want to be there.” She continued to explain that I would get checked again by the tech who was more trained to read the ultrasounds and that after a consultation with the doctor, they may suggest I go to the hospital. WHAT? I was in shock. Bye Bye Pool. Forget my last week of relaxing with a good book and time all to myself! (more…)

I can’t believe 2 months ago, my son was born. Funny how when I think in terms of how old he is I automatically go back to delivery. For example, yesterday he was exactly 2 months…so I say to Kayle, “wow, exactly 2 months ago mommy was in the hospital with you.” What I didn’t say was, “wow, exactly 2 months ago mommy was in the hospital in excrutiating pain waiting to push you out from the depths of her soul (i mean womb) wincing in agony while everyone stood around telling her to ‘push harder’.” (and what is that about, anyway? push harder. PUSH HARDER??? Uh I AM PUSHING HARD!) Heh, it is true how the pain of childbirth does fade away (I think it is God’s mercy on us so we will remember the good times and continue to populate).

Kayle loves to: play with his tongue, eat his hands, curl his toes, watch the world, look at himself in the mirror (daddy trait), eat, take short naps, eat more, smile, make mommy sing silly songs to him, take strolls, move around, and just be held.

He is such a joy and I find myself smiling uncontrollable whether I am looking at him or just thinking about him. He totally makes my day!

This should be a short blog….because I only have one word…

THISMOVIEISBEYONDAWESOMESOGOSEEIT!

Wow! 7 weeks! Almost 2 whole months! Let’s see. He has definitely been smiling at us more. He likes to be in his baby papazan and has batted, no lie, at his bunny. He stares up at the mirror (on the papazan) and smiles. He loves to look outside. Whether it is from the window or actually going outside–just like his mommy. He is a morning person–Just like his mommy. He sleeps 5 hours at a stretch during the night. Then he gets up and will sleep about 2 more. Then will go back to sleep sometimes for another 2. Sometimes. We are still working on napping during the day. Some days are better than others. But I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. I just think back to those first few days when we were best buddies with the phone nurses at Scottish Rite and I just laugh! Wow. We’ve come a long way, baby!

He is making cute little noises. AHH. Enga. and Hiccups a LOT. Just like when he was in the womb. He loves to be held like a football (though I am sure, if his dad has anything to do with it, he won’t be playing American Football…just Soccer(football). He still spits up (read the blog on baby vomit perfume). He is “talking” to us more.

We are lovin’ it! He picks up his head during tummy time (has been doing that for weeks) and will turn it from side to side. He tracks objects. Sticks out his tongue. And still has gas. (like his dad..heh. just kidding).

Stay tuned for more “In the Life of Kayle” usually monday’s (or at least that is my goal–to blog then).

Have you seen it? I have been waiting for, what, 2 years now (?) to see it? I know it has to be at least 1 1/2 years or so since the last one. I am eager to see it…but waiting til we can get a sitter. Mom (Kayle’s grandma) to the rescue! I will let you know my thoughts on the movie (like you care) after I see it. We got some movie gift certificates anonymously (THANK YOU!) and they are such a blessing (have you purchased diapers lately? How about MILK for that matter. $4 something at wally world).

I think Matt Damon is my favorite actor. Julia Roberts is my favorite actress. And Angelina Jolie is one of my favorite world conscious people. But that is another topic. (I think she is a superb actress too…but that is beside the point. OH, and I have “loved” Brad Pitt since the days when he was just beginning and he was on that cop tv show (NOT COPS..but..do you know what I am talking about? anyhoo). Back to Matt Damon. My brother Paul actually reminds me a lot of him. Maybe it is the blonde hair and the same body build. But none the less..resemblances

Bourne Ultimatum. In theaters now. Go see it!

It’s the next big thing? Dontcha know?!! I have recently been slimed and was thinking I should at least blog about it. It is amazing how when I have to vomit, I don’t look cute. But when my son vomits, “awww…poor thing. Look at him. He is so cute and helpless.” All down my back. All down my front. On my arms. On my pants. Yep. Anyhow, I really don’t mind at this point. Because it is one color. White. Now when he gets older and starts eating solids, I am sure my tune will change. Although coming in at a close second to being spit up on would have to be, yep-you guessed it, being peed on. No matter how fast I THINK I am –I am not as fast as Quick Draw McGraw. He is so tricky. He can be completely smilely and bat his big eyes at me and then WHAMO! Or, he can be turning beet red from a cry and give the ol’ surprise attack. Good aim that kid. (I should put him near my plants.)