Parental Fail

Parent Fail: Smashed Ring Finger

So........this happened.  And I can't stop thinking about it.  It's playing over and over again in my head.  I thought maybe if I just got it out there in the universe it would leave me alone.  Because really, it was a big parental fail.

Aaron was in his room trying to put his pjs on (and by that I mean doing everything he could to delay putting his pjs on) and Elizabeth kept going into his room, playing with his toys and "distracting" him.  So I finally went in there, picked Elizabeth up and put her down in the middle of the hallway.  Then I walked back to Aaron's room, told him to please, for the 825th time, to put his pjs on and that I would close the door (as I was literally doing so) to keep his sister out.  Of course, Elizabeth is faster than lightening and in that 5 second interval of time had made it back to the door and and stuck her hand in the hinge side of the door.  And I closed the door.  All the way.  Without knowing she was there.  And when I realized it and opened the door her little ring finger was blue and indented and bent.  

She's crying and she clung onto me and wouldn't let go.  I tried to pull her away so I could get a better look at the finger and stick it under cold water.  She wouldn't let me.  All I could see was indented, blue and what seemed to be bent.  I never put her down.  I called my sister over and over but she didn't answer.  I told Aaron that we had an emergency and had to take Elizabeth to the doctor and I needed him to be good and listen.  Put shoes and jacket on.  Somehow I was able to get my own pants & shoes on, let the dog out and back in his kennel and get both my kids out the door.  Elizabeth is crying off and on.  The finger to me, looks bad.  Though it is getting better - I just can't get that first image out of my head.

We head to the ER and I get a call back from my sister.  She's still at work but will meet me at the ER.  Then I call Josh and tell him.  And part of me feels horrible for doing this because he's 2 hours away at work and can't come and I know this.  But I call anyway.  Because his daughter is going to the ER.  And it's my fault.  

And Aaron, who is being good but very vocal, is worried and wants to know why I'm crying.  We get to the ER and he announces to the ER that I was upset with him and I smashed the door on the baby's finger.  Which I'm sure sounded horrible to everyone.  My sister arrived just after we did and took charge of Aaron while I checked in.  Elizabeth, by this time had stopped crying and her finger no longer looked bent but did seem swollen and very red of course.  She just seemed tired now.  

Aaron wanted to go with me and Elizabeth everywhere.  But of course I couldn't handle it.  So I made him stay with Eva in the waiting room.  We checked vitals and back to the wait room.  We saw the doctor and then off to x-rays.  And then back to the doctor.  And Elizabeth was so good.  And I felt horrible.  And Aaron was so worried.  

The good news is that the finger is not broken.  The doctor just "prescribed" a cold compress if needed and OTC pain medication.  So we go back home and I give Elizabeth the pain meds and put her to sleep.  She slept through the night.  In fact, I had to wake her this morning to take Aaron to school.  She seems perfect this morning except for a red, slightly swollen finger and being tired.  

I thanked Aaron last night and again this morning for being such a good boy when I needed him to be and I reassured him that his sister was alright.  He gave me a hug and kiss.  The only thing I've ever seen of myself in Aaron is his looks.  He's looked like me from day one but even that wasn't 100%.  Now that he's getting older he's actually starting to look more like Josh.  But I've seen my dad and my older sister in him.  I've called him by my little sister's name before.  He's personality is more like them - my dad and sisters.  But this, him worrying about his sister so much - wanted to stay with her....... That's me.  The first time I've ever said THAT IS ME IN HIM.  I comforted him last night & this morning and will probably do it again tonight.

And though my sister came over last night and stayed for a bit after the kids were asleep, I still couldn't stop thinking about what happened.  And when I went to bed alone, all I wanted was to cuddle with Josh.  I texted him and we promised to cuddle when he got home this weekend.  Having Josh work 2 hours away, staying in Fremont for the week and coming home for a day and a half on the weekend we've joked that I'm basically a single mom during the week.  We've joked, but it's true.  And I don't even know how real single moms do it.  Especially after this.  And it's not even the physical, day to day stuff of being a mom.  It's the fact that I don't have anyone to share the ups and downs with during the week.  Josh wasn't here to go to the ER with us.  He wasn't here to go through this experience - to share the fear and anxiety and relief and guilt.  Even if he didn't feel all those himself, he could share in my feelings.  And I didn't have the physical comfort of Josh.  No hugs, no pats, no hand holding, no cuddles.  After last night I told him he could never leave me.  

He said "I'll never leave you, Bug.  Not until I leave this world".  And if I wasn't crying already, I was then.

This morning after we dropped off Aaron and school we went to Target because I wanted her mind to be distracted and not on the pain of her finger and because.... well, TARGET.  We stopped first at the Starbucks in Target and shared coffee cake and she was happy.

What pain?  I've got coffee cake!

By the time we got home it was her nap time so I put her to sleep and I've only thought about it 2,347 times today and cried 3 times.  I'm just one of those people who replays stuff over and over in my head until either I just get over it or it drives me insane.  Hopefully I'll just get over this.  I might need some help from my therapists, Ben & Jerry.  But if you're reading this, send me some hugs.  I need them.  And if you know some real single moms, hug their faces off too.  

   

Smarty Pants

Mermaid Lizzy

This kid.  It's amazing how kids grow both physically and cognitively.  Elizabeth picks up things so quickly - she is just So. Smart.

At almost 14 months Elizabeth weighs around 24 lbs.  She has 8 teeth on the top and 6 on the bottom.  She does plenty of baby talk but does say mama, dada & bye-bye.  She has moments when she'll say a word once or twice but then we won't hear it again.  I'm pretty sure she heard us say Seahawks (SB CHAMPS!) so much this past month that she has started saying it too.  Now she's using a lot of the "k" and "t" sounds.  

Just this evening she pointed her popsicle at me and said something that at first sounded Russian to me.  But I finally figured out she was saying "cut".  She wanted me to cut the wrapper down.  Every time she would eat it too short I would ask "Do you want me to cut it?" and she would hold it out.  By the 3rd time she was asking me!  "Cut"!  SO SMART.  

Earlier she was walking around with my pajamas shirt, cuddling with it and when she walked passed me I noticed her nose was running so I said "Oh Elizabeth, you have mocos" and so she turned her head into my shirt and blew her nose!  I'm pretty sure Aaron STILL isn't sure how to properly blow his nose and he's 5!  LOL.

Elizabeth walks well and she loves to be outside.  I like to try and go pick up Aaron early so it gives me enough time to allow Elizabeth to walk from the car to the classroom to pick Aaron up.  She loves it.  She walks around his classroom and all his little preschool buddies and love her.  Even the teacher and T.A.s want to pick her up.  One mom actually holds her and kisses her!  Surprisingly, I'm not bothered by it.  (Well, not that much anyway.)

As you can tell from the picture, she also loves the water!  She's so funny because she'll just lay down in the water on her belly -- no worries, no hesitancy.  And she kicks and turns.  I'll lay her down in shallow water on her back sometimes and she just laughs and kicks.  She has no fear!  Elizabeth is also a climber.  She tries to climb on her brother's toys and furniture and get on his foot stool.  I mean, I really gotta watch this one all the time.  

But I think what she loves most is FOOD!  Hahaha!  This baby girl can eat!  I mean, you'd think she would be bigger than her brother was at the same age but Aaron was a chunk!  And Lizzy really isn't.  I mean, she's got baby chub, but she's not like Aaron was.  And yet you can't eat a damn thing in front of her without her yelling at you and reaching out for it.  No joke.  I think she's only turned away food 2 or 3 times.  I pretty much have to portion control her meals sometimes because she'd just keep eating!  You can see her belly expanding!  haha!

But honestly, Elizabeth is such a smart & happy baby! She's doing wonderfully.  We hope you are too!  

    

9 months in, 9 months out! The EGH Version.

Elizabeth Grace - 9 months

Elizabeth Grace is 9 months old!  Look at her adorable face!  She is doing so well and is always so happy!  She brings us so much joy.

Elizabeth went for her 9 month check up yesterday and she weighs 23 lbs 2 oz and is 29 3/4 inches long - both are the 100th percentile!!  100% people!  Public Warning: I produce large babies!  I mean, they are normal at birth but then seem to just jump right into that BIG BABY stage and stay there.  Aaron, at 4 1/2 years old is just recently starting to "slim down".  

Elizabeth sits up on her own, is starting to pull herself up from a sitting position and is trying super hard to get those big legs under her to crawl.  Right now she just rolls everywhere.  The doc said it's a bit tougher for "bigger" babies to get themselves going since they've got more weight on them. 

She is just starting to get a bit big for her 9 month clothing and so we've got the 12 months ready for her.  We also switched her diapers to 7th Generation because they are unbleached and she kept having reoccurring rashes.  These diapers have definitely helped with that!  

She's got 4 teeth on top and 4 on the bottom and loves to smile (and bite!).  Of course she puts absolutely anything you give her in her mouth including you!  She likes to chew on Josh's collarbone which for some strange reason I think is kinda cute.  She also loves to put her hand in his beard and pull his hair & skin!  She likes to smack her brother's head and pull his hair.  And with me.... well, she likes to motorboat.  LOL!  Yeah, I just said that.  I mean, she's been on formula for more months than not but she just likes to rest her face in there and open her mouth.  It's so funny.  I'm sure it's a comfort thing.  

She wakes me up in the morning by banging her feet on the crib and yelling "Mama!  Maaaama!  Mamamama!" but she always greets me with a smile.  She's been sleeping through the night for awhile and takes 2 naps a day.

Basically, she's doing awesome.  We love her to pieces.  Thanks to all of our family for helping us out lately especially.  We love you all and will hopefully be sending some pictures out soon.  

Stay tuned because we've got some stuff on the horizon!!! 



       

These little fish are growing

Eating solids - 6 months

Elizabeth went in for her 6 month check up and boy, is this chick growing!  Elizabeth is 19 lbs (90%), 27 1/2 inches (95%), head circumference of 17 3/4 (98%), wears a size 3 diaper, size 9 month clothing and 12 month in pjs!  Big girl!

We have just started her on solids and are still not quite on a regular schedule with it.  She seems to want it sometimes and then not others.  And sometimes it's just like she has no idea what to do with it.  But we're going to keep trying!  I've only tried the rice cereal once, but have tried a few of the fruit and fruit combo organic baby food and have given her mashed up bananas at home and organic apple sauce.  

Elizabeth's teeth are coming in and her mouth is hurting baaaaaad right now.  She has the bottom two already poked through and I'm pretty sure the top left one is coming through too.  It looks like we might have another Aaron on our hands.  He got all of his teeth super quick and close to each other (time wise).  We having teething toys, rings for the freezer and I give her wet wash clothes (frozen and non) to help her.  We also use the teething tablets and I have a teething bracelet that a cousin gave me.  She pretty much chews up anything she can, including me and Josh!

Even with all this though, she's a pretty happy baby!

Blowing in the wind.

Aaron is also doing pretty well, though extremely bored at home with mama and baby.  We're hoping perhaps he can start at public pre-school this coming school year.  He's happy to have his daddy home these past few days and even that has changed his behavior a little (very little) bit.

Today, separately and without knowing, Josh and I both asked Aaron what he wanted to be when he grew up.  When I asked it was at the dinner table and we were all there.  At first he said he wanted to be an elephant.  So when I explained to him what I meant by the question, and gave him several examples he settled on veterinarian.  After going over it again and again in his head a few times, I think he liked the idea even more and reconfirmed this great idea to us.  When he grows up to be like, 8 yrs old, he wants to be an elephant.  But then after that, a vet for sure!  He says he might even have to live in the forest because he'll have too many animals to take care of.  He loves animals, watches Planet Earth over and over again, knows the names of really strange and random animals and dinosaurs and even knows if they are herbivores, carnivores or omnivores.  I think he'd be a wonderful vet!  Now if only we could get him to stop chasing the dog!!!!

Happy 6 Month Birthday Little Lizzy Grace!

Elizabeth Grace - 6 months old

Today Elizabeth turns 6 months old!  Look at that smiley chubba face!  Last time we checked, she was around 17 lbs.  She's snugly wearing a size 6-9 months (snug in a 6, comfortable in a 9).  Her hair is still lighter than Aaron's, her eyes are still figuring themselves out I guess.  They change from blue, to grey, to green to hazel.  I'm not sure they've figured themselves out yet!  Her first tooth has just broken through on the bottom and I wouldn't have even known had I not stuck my finger in there for her to gnaw on!  She's such a good baby!

Elizabeth is rolling around all over the place.  She does tummy time so well now and even tries to push herself forward.  So now I have the challenge of making sure all of Aaron's little plastic toys are up before I put Elizabeth on the floor anywhere.  She rolls from one side of her mat to the other and loves to try and grab her feet & toes.  I think she's determined to get them in her mouth! 

She is just such a happy baby.  She loves to smile at her family.  Loves to laugh at her brother.  She loves it when you sing to her and greets you with a smile (almost) every morning.  She is our joy.

Happy 6 Month Birthday Elizabeth Grace!  We love you!!!  XOXOXO

       

Growing Up Healthy - 4 months

Elizabeth Grace - 4 months old

Elizabeth went for her 4 month check up 2 days ago and baby girl is catching up to her brother quickly!

Lizzy baby is 25 1/4 inches long (85%), 16 1/3 lbs (90%) and her head circumference is 16 3/4 (85%)!  The NP says she's looking great and if we want, we can start her on solids.  I'm not sure we're ready, but Elizabeth sure does smack her lips and lick her chops when anyone eats in front of her!  LOL.  I think once I decide what I want to start on, we might try that soon.

She's currently wearing 6-9 months in clothes but I think in the one pieces (like pjs) we'll have to move to 9 months soon.  She literally went through ONE jumbo box of size 2 diapers and now she is on size 3.  She's definitely going to be in need of new stuff soon.

She still tries super hard to turn over whenever she is on her back, but besides that one time, hasn't been able to do it on her own yet.  She gets just the top half around.  She sits up pretty well with help and she's getting a little bit better at tummy time.  

Elizabeth loves, loves, to laugh at her brother.  She just stares at him and watches him.  And whenever he laughs, so does she.  It's pretty adorable.  I only wish Aaron was more calm, gentle and aware around her.  (sigh)  She loves when anyone sings to her too.  

On March 1st, I moved her into her room finally.  She's been sleeping through the night for some time now, but since we're still missing things in her room (like a proper room/floor lamp & a changing pad cover) I held off on it.  Finally I just decided to make the move and she's been doing so well!  She wakes up happy.  I think that might have something to do with the colorful bedding, pink walls and owl mobile!  Once I feel like the room is complete, I'll have to take some pictures.

Until then........   Hope you all are just as happy and healthy as Elizabeth!  

  
   

Almost Got It!

Elizabeth rolled over to her belly!

Elizabeth has been trying to hard to get moving!  She lifts her butt, she picks her legs up in the air, she tries so hard to roll on her side.  

We do tummy time, but she get so frustrated that it doesn't last long.  She will be ok in the beginning but will end up digging her knees and pushing, scooting herself around.  

I've even woken up the past 3 mornings and she's gone from the position she was sleeping (about 8 inches from the top of the crib) to her head being totally up against the bumper!  And this all happens while she's wrapped in her baby wrap!  It's like a magic trick!  

Well, this morning after a bottle and a short cuddle nap with her in my bed, she woke up and was trying to get her face closer to mine.  I moved back so I could see her and she followed!  At first she was just on her side, but she got their on her own!!  Then I moved even further back and she completed the roll on to her tummy!  Hooray Elizabeth!  We've been waiting!  

Alas, her arm was stuck under her and she couldn't get rolled back on her own, but it's still a pretty big accomplishment, don't you think?  

    

Just an adorable video of my adorable baby

Elizabeth trying to sit up on her own.  This has just started the past couple of days.  She even does it in her car seat!  

Two is Enough

Elizabeth Grace, 2 months old

Gah!!  So today I was holding Elizabeth, squeezing her chubby parts and kissing her skin and it made me a bit sad.  This is my last baby!  This is the last time I will be holding and squeezing and kissing a baby that is MINE.  MY BABY!  Aaron is a big boy now.  And Elizabeth is growing.  I mean, I know she's just starting out.... just two months old still but......  She's my last baby!  I'm crying a bit inside for that.

Just so you know this baby loves to smile.  I'm thinking of getting her a shirt that says "I just like smiling.  Smiling's my favorite".  She can hold her head up and has been from almost the beginning.  Sometimes I can get her to hold her half empty bottle while she's feeding.  Not for very long.... but you gotta start somewhere!  If you say a phrase like "I love you" she can mimic the inflection.  She has been sleeping through the night for over a month now.  She is just brilliant.  

In 2 days, she'll be 3 months old.  Gah!  My last baby.

  

Growing and growing

Aaron saying good morning to Elizabeth.

These kids keep growing.  Someone should tell them to slow down, seriously.  I looked at both my babies yesterday and at different times thought, when and how did he/she get so big?  Elizabeth is just..... I mean..... it's crazy!  She's not even 3 months yet and I'm putting her in 6 month clothing because she's too long for the 3 month one-piece outfits.  She went from being so skinny we could feel her spine to having a double chin!  Oh believe me, I think it's fabulous!!!  But holy crap, when did it happen?!  She's getting chubbs!  I mean, I doubt she'll ever reach her brother's previous chubb status (evidenced here and here) but you never know.

And speaking of Aaron, I mean - he's not even a baby anymore!  He's a boy!  A (little) big boy!  He's got the biggest eyes and these long eyelashes that he bats at you........  He's just beautiful but sometimes I look at him and miss the little chubby baby he used to be.

Aaron is still out of school but he's doing much better health-wise and I'd like to keep it that way!  The rest of us are doing well too.  I just ordered a scale on Amazon and should be back on Weight Watchers by the end of the month.  This time around I'll be doing the online version only since I've been through the program once before (and reached my goal weight!).

Right now I'm enjoying the time with the kids at home though.  I often think of starting up some crafts.  I know I promised 3 other people I would send them something homemade last year and I never got around to it with the baby and all.  SO, perhaps I'll complete it this year instead.  I'm also following the Fat Mum Slim's Photo A Day Challenge, which is fun.  I post all the photos on her Photo A Day Facebook Page.  

Thinking ahead, I'm hoping this year brings plenty of NEW & HAPPY adventures, trips and visits.  I'm taking in the small moments and making them into memories.  I love my family.  

 "Collect memories, not things"

 

 

December's Whirlwind

Super Aaron!

The month of December is always crazy for us.  With the holidays, our anniversary and Aarons' birthday it's a lot for us to try and get done!  Especially when one of you is sick. 

There was a point earlier this month when we had a doctor appointment every day for 3 days in a row.  Aaron, then Elizabeth, then Aaron again.  Aaron had another round of high fevers and was waking up every morning with 103 or 104 degree temp.  We took him to his pediatrician and had a chest x-ray done.  Turns out he had pneumonia!  We had to do another round of antibiotics and at first it didn't seem like it was helping, but around the 4th day, he finally woke up without a temperature and his appetite seemed to have come back a bit.  Not to mention his mood improvement!  He is done with the antibiotics for now and seems to be much improved and we all hope it stays that way!  We follow up with the doctor sometime next week.

Because Aaron had not been feeling well and his temp was so high, we didn't really do much for his birthday.  Josh and I decided to just have cake and ice cream at the house with family.  We didn't invite other families because we didn't want other kids getting sick. 

Aaron wanted his birthday theme to be "Minion" themed since he couldn't be a minion for Halloween.  We had a minion cake for him and minion toys and shirts from both us and Grandpa & Grandma Coblentz.  He loved his cake and his toys.  

Happy 4th Birthday Aaron!

Elizabeth Grace went in for her 2 month check up and is now up to 11 lbs!  Josh and I both cheered and let out a collective sigh of relief when we heard that!  Elizabeth is such a joy.  It's impossible to be anything but happy when you're with her.  And she just loves to smile at people.  It's the cutest thing ever!  The faces she makes are super expressive.   

She will be a heartbreaker for sure.

Elizabeth Grace - Heartbreaker

She is still sleeping in our room but I want to finish her room up and see if around month 3, we can get her sleeping in her crib.  She does sleep through the night already so I think the transition will go well.  With Aaron we only had a 1 bedroom condo for the first 1.5 years of his life, so he was in our room with us for that long!  I think I might have a harder time with the transition than anyone else!!  

The end of the year is approaching and last night I lay in bed thinking.....

Even though things aren't perfect, even though we're poor, I am just so happy with my little family.  I love them to pieces and want to squish all their stinkin' faces!  I hope this feeling continues to grow into next year and that things only get better.  Health and love.  That's what we need.  I hope you all get it too!