+36 hours

You've been without a temperature over 102 degrees for over 36 hours now Monkey. I thought we were never going to reach this point. Six days was long enough. I know you were so tired of having your temp checked every time we changed your diaper, and believe me, it was no fun for Mama either. To watch it rise all the way to 104.8 degrees.....you were so hot and so uncomfortable. You cling to me like a baby Monkey clings to his Mama.

And all because of a dang virus. I even gave in and took you to the ER Thursday night because even Tylenol and Ibuprofen wouldn't bring it down. You were such a good little boy there considering they were poking and prodding on you, sticking swabs up your nose, and making you wait so long. No pokes or xrays though. Thank goodness!

This was our first big sick experience, and it was no fun. You were such a good medicine taker before and now you want nothing to do with that syringe full of purple goo. Can't say I blame you, but it breaks Mama's heart to make you take it. I'm so glad I decided to never be a Peds RN, as I couldn't handle all the tears and sad eyes.

You are starting to get back to yourself! Can't wait till we're back to 12 hours of sleep without waking up and not-so-short tempers are few and far between.

Super Sixteen

Oh my little Monkey.....

When oh when did you get to be 16 months old? You are growing much too fast for your Mama. You're definitely not a baby anymore. You are a full fledged toddler. I am in awe over what you can accomplish in a day. Lately, a new word everyday.....ball, Elmo, Abby, doggie. The other day you found your pretend keys and marched over to the door. You put them up to the doorknob to unlock the door. We rarely use keys to unlock doors around here b/c Mama has the garage door opener. How did you know? When did you get so smart?

Tonight at dinner you were using your fork like a pro. Each stab at the bowl produced some mac and cheese noodles that were quickly scarfed down by you. You have switched from your left to your right hand to eat and seem to be having more luck striking gold with your food. Last night, you couldn't gobble down the chicken noodle soup fast enough. How did you become big enough to use a fork and spoon successfully?

The other day I was getting ready so we could run to Target. You were pawing through the bathroom drawer like you always do when I'm getting ready. Hoping to strike it rich on something new and exciting. You settled for a comb you hadn't seen in awhile. Right away you started to "style" your own hair! So handsome you are!! Then you lifted up your comb to me, so I obliged and squatted down. You helped Mama "style" her hair for the day! You never cease to amaze me little man.

I had given up on the more sign. It's been a few months since I'd signed it to you because I was convinced you wanted nothing to do with signs. They weren't catching on. No big deal! We seem to communicate pretty good without them. Out of the blue the other morning you pointed at the Kix box and signed more!!! I was giddy with excitement that you remembered after such a long time and that I had actually taught you something. We ate lots of Kix that morning....kid tested, mother approved right?

Last night when we were sitting in the ER (another blog in itself), you stripped down to nothing but a diaper, you leaned over and started tickling your feet. Funny, since you are incredibly ticklish....just like your Mama. I would say "tickle, tickle", and you would gently tickle the bottoms of your feet. Too cute...I wished I would have had a video camera with me. I'm sure Mama's toes are next one of these days!!

Lately, I have been snuggling you extra long before bed. Taking in your little boy smell. I'm sad at how fast you are growing and want to soak up all of you right now. You have been under the weather, so you're making it easy for me to love on you. You have been falling asleep in my arms and I have been relishing all of those moments. Every once in a while, you give me a sleepy smile that reminds me of when you were so little and new. You're mouth will pop open just a touch and you will give a little sigh....oh i'm so in love with you.

I love how you choose to come sit on my lap now. How we brush our teeth together every morning with you usually sitting in my lap. How you are so innocent and amazed at all things new....like when i found you crawling in the entry way the other night....funny i thought until i realized you were crawling after a spider....you were so intrigued with this 8 legged creature sharing space with us (me, not so intrigued). How you stopped everything this morning to watch a robin hop her way across the yard in search of bugs. How you walked over to a "wock" in the driveway, picked it up, and threw it back with all the others....when did you learn to say rock?

I can't get enough of you right now Monkey! I can't wait for Dada to come home and share all these fun and amazing moments with me. You are my world....my universe! I never imagined I could feel this way about someone. I am totally enamored by everything you do and say. Everyone tells me it only gets better. How can it get any better? I think these are the best moments of my life right now! I just want to soak you all in. Thanks for being that little boy your Mama always dreamed of....Happy 16 months Monkey!

6 Strikes

1. Five days overdue with Monkey.
2. Three hours of pushing with Monkey.
3. Emergent C-section with Monkey.
4. 8 lbs, 4 oz. ~ Our 1st Sweet Baby Boy ~ Second babies are usually bigger.
5. Monkey's going to have a little brother. ~ Boys are typically larger than girls.
6. Measured almost 26 weeks today ~ I'm really only 24 weeks.

All this equals a high chance for another c-section.

VBAC not completely ruled out, but at this point, the odds are against us. Am I disappointed? A bit. Do I want to do what is safe for me and the baby? Of course. Is it written in stone right now? No.

It's a wait and see game right now. We'll do a scan at 36-37 weeks to get an estimated weight on our little guy and to measure the thickness of my uterine scar. The results will determine if we schedule for a section or not. I really would love to go natural because I don't want the added stress of abdominal surgery. I don't want to worry about whether I can pick up Monkey or not. Although, I've vowed not to get all Mommied up about it right now and just let it ride. I'll be honest....it's hard not to think about it.

One for sure positive ~ My family can plan to be up here for the birth. According to Dr., we would be looking at August 20th or 21st. My parent's anniversary is the 20th....kinda neat!!

Stay tuned for updates!

First Summer Days

With all the wonderful sunshine over the last four days, we have spent ALOT of time outside playing. We went to the playground three days in a row! I've learned that you are a little daredevil....not that I didn't I already suspect that of you little Monkey!

You weren't holding back when it came to the slides! You loved the tire swing and the swing bridge! You would have crawled up the tire ladder if I hadn't shown you the holes you were going to crawl through!

We inherited a "new" tricycle and push car from wonderful friends and neighbors. You love to be pushed in the car. We have taken daily walks to the mailbox. Admiring the leaves starting to peak out, the grass starting to stand up, and the birds starting to sing. You love all the airplanes flying over, always sure to point to the sky when you hear one. You are after your Dada and Great-Grandpa's heart.

Along with playgrounds, new toys, and running outside comes first scrapes. I hated that they were coming but knew it was inevitable. Especially since it has been warm enough for shorts. Your little elbow sports a scrape from falling off your tricycle and your knee a few scratches from a run in with the rake. If that wasn't enough, you tumbled down the stairs into the garage and hit your cheek on the corner of the bench. Poor little man!! Mama hates to see you hurt. I guess like the doctor said, "if you're cruising, you're bruising"!!

Nonetheless, it doesn't slow you down little man. I can't wait to see what the rest of the summer brings! Your endless energy, and your excitement for all things new brings a smile to my face even this moment. Even when I find you crawling across the floor chasing after a spider....for once the spider didn't make me sigh.....it made me smile at the sight of your innocence!

Happy summer days to come Monkey!

Happy May Day!!!

I can't wait until next year when you really understand what May Day is all about! It's not really very popular here like it is where Mama grew up. We're going to have to introduce all the kids on the street to it next year. We will be basket making fools next year....I promise little one!

I remember how much I looked forward to this day all spring! All the kids in the neighborhood would run around trying to sneak their baskets on to each others doorstep without them noticing. Plus it was a chance to get some candy and popcorn.....kinda like a mini Halloween without the costumes and with a little sneakiness added in!!

To all who love this day....Happy May Day!!

Tall Boy

26 pounds

33 inches

You are such a big boy! So tall! Healthy as a horse! So brave for your shots (ouchy)!

Here's to strong and healthy Monkey!

Thank You Monkey

Monkey~

Thank you so much little man for being such a good little boy lately. You have been wonderful for your Mama while Dada has been gone. One week down, two more to go! Each day has been something new, whether it being blowing kisses, telling me "go, go", exploring rocks and sticks, or playing in the dirt. You have discovered the dirt in my flower barrels that is waiting so patiently for the beautiful summer flowers. You dig in and laugh like crazy when you throw it on the ground. It is quite funny! We soaked up the spring sun today, didn't we? You can't get enough and neither can Mama.

You have also discovered how to soak Mama while you are taking a bath. You splash with your feet like a fish out of water and laugh that deep belly laugh you do so well. I can't help but laugh along with you. What's a little wet floor and shirt? It all mops up and changes easily! These are the moments that I want to soak up (literally, I guess) with you because I know they will be fleeting before you move on to something else.

You are the little boy I always dreamed of having. Strong willed yet tenderhearted at the same time. Full of life and laughter going 150 mph all the time yet will snuggle in for a good book anytime. A lover of puppy dogs, airplanes in the sky, dirt and rocks, anything with a motor and wheels, and your hockey sticks. I love that you are starting to show your emotions. Waving bye-bye, blowing kisses, and just tonight, you came up behind me after your bath and wrapped your little arms around me as far as they could reach and laid your head on my shoulder. My heart burst with love for you at that moment. It makes me teary right now just thinking of how that felt. A Mama always looks forward to that first hug, and it was more than I could have ever imagined it would ever feel like. Unbelievable Monkey!! I love you so, so, so very much! Words will never suffice!

XOXO,

Your Mama