Archives for July 2006

So I took Emma for her allergy blood work yesterday, and I was prepared for the ultimate meltdown. I had two binkies, her blankie, finger foods, and a sippy cup all ready to go in the event of total drama — I was prepared. I even warned the tech and her helper that Emma is a bit, uh, vocal, so this might be worse than normal. And because the doctor requested they test for 11 allergens, they needed to fill two vials…

Okay, breathe, mom, breathe, here we go…stretchy rubber thing tied around Emma’s skinny little arm, tight enough to pinch her skin, strange woman holding her arm in place, another strange woman poking her with a long piece of metal…the needle is in and…

NOTHING. Not a peep. Completely unphased. THE.WHOLE.TIME. I am watching two tubes fill up with my baby’s blood and she’s acting like they’re tickling her arm. No wiggling, no complaining, just the suck, suck of her binkie, which she probably didn’t even need. “Oh, is that a needle piercing my skin and sucking out my blood, Mom? I didn’t even notice. Now how about that sippy cup?”

I was so proud of her! When I called Jeff, he even admitted that it made him want to cry. So funny what makes you proud — and how your child can completely surprise you.

I have to remember that Emma is just as complex as any adult — she doesn’t fit any preconceived stereotypes or moulds. No, she is Emma and she is developing her own unique personality every day. Yes, she is a busy little girl that loves to move around, but she also loves to sit and read a book. She isn’t afraid of sticking her face in the pool, but is scared to death of her doctor. She will kiss anyone who asks, but doesn’t like to be held by anyone but her mama.

I think as parents we are so excited to “figure out” what our child will be like, that we almost want to make them something they really aren’t. Every time I try to describe Emma to someone who asks how’s she’s doing, I end up contradicting myself after every sentence because she really isn’t one “type.” Will she be anal like her mom, but athletic like her dad? Who the knows! Only time will tell, and that is the most exciting part. I know Emma has many more surprises in store for me. I’m also aware they may not all be as pleasant as this experience. But, heck, I’ll take this one!

I’ll finish up with some recent photos. I realized I haven’t posted any for a while, but the flu kind of interrupted our usual photo sessions. Still, here’s a few of Emma enjoying her summer at Grandma and Grandpa’s pool!

At least that’s my excuse for giving in and buying that dress that you all “tried” to talk me out of… um, thanks! :o) My other excuse is that she will actually get three uses out of it — she’ll wear it for her 1-year photo, wear it on the party day, and hopefully wear it to church the Sunday after her birthday. Oh yeah, and it’s our birthday gift to her. What else do you buy a 1 year old who has everything she needs? A personalized birthday dress of course!!!! (And yes, we put “Emma” on the dress!)

Besides, who can deny such a little cutie? She is just too darn adorable — and pretty smart too. Here are some of the recent developments in Emma Land:

She has officially kicked the flu and is more than making up for any lost ounces — she LOVES to eat!

She now walks everywhere and can get into the standing position without pulling herself up on something.

She waves hello and goodbye on command and on her own (at the right times).

She is starting to repeat words I say, although they all start with the letter D. She even tried to sing a tune I sang to her: “La, la, la” (“Da, da, da”). There is hope that she has Jeff’s singing voice — she was pretty in tune!

Some of her real words include: Dada, more (mah!), num nums, nye nye, doggie, baby (dady), pretty (ditty — this is what she calls my earrings) & all done (ah dah).

She dances by bouncing her knees when she hears music or when I sing, “Dancin’, Dancin’, Dancin’!!”

She rediscovered her love of clapping and is very proud of her accomplishments.

She will kiss you when asked and will sometimes kiss you if you say, “I love you.” She blows kisses too, but it’s more like a lip smack in the air without the hand throw.

She retrieves her stuffed doggie when asked and then tries to carry it around with her even though it is just as big as she is.

She points to my nose when I ask her to — a VERY recent development.

Her appetite is ENORMOUS lately, so I am assuming she is going thru a growth spurt.

She is almost done getting her two front top teeth, at least I hope, as it has caused us all to be a bit cranky.

She likes the water and enjoys putting her face in it. Strange, I know…

So there’s a quick glimpse into our little pistol’s life at 11 months. She sure is fun, but also a bit intense (um, like her father??) and keeps me more than busy. But as those tired, weak, horrible sick days only further proved, I would NEVER want her any other way!

Okay, so please give me some reasons why Emma does not need this $40 dress for her 1st birthday:

Sure, we’re saving for a house, have only one full-time income, and she’ll only wear it once, but give me some REAL reasons.

Didn’t I learn my lesson from the Easter dress??? And since when did I become so girly? I mean this thing has bows… BOWS people! I distinctly remember removing those from my own wedding dress…

How can a child get the stomach flu a mere 5 days after recovering from it? Not sure, but we’ve managed it. Except now it’s pouring out the other end (her mouth).

Yes, as of Tuesday morning, Miss Emma’s tummy throws everything back at us, including formula and Pedialyte. The only time she can keep anything down is if it’s in quantities of 3 oz or less, yet she is crying because she is thirsty and hungry. To be honest, I am absolutely stressed right now. Not that this is about me – because of course it isn’t – but I just feel like MY stomach is also in one big knot.

I really don’t feel like going in to all the details (like I usually do), so I’m just going to give you the summary (which come to think of it, may actually make many of you happy…). Anyway, fever hasn’t gone over 99 and there really isn’t diarrhea, so this is different than the other flu, yet it seems too close to not be related. But after sitting through a 2.5-hour doctor appt yesterday (another story all together), my pediatrician thinks it may be allergy related…

Um, WHAT??!!! As if we haven’t limited her diet enough, now she may be eating something that is causing her stomach to completely reject everything. Wonderful.

So he’s ordered blood work for her to test every possible food allergen out there. Of course, these test are rarely conclusive in children this little, so it may be one big waste of time, but I remain hopeful. The only new thing she’s eaten in the last two weeks is a chicken & sweet potato dinner. That would make chicken the most likely culprit, but come on — can she really be sensitive to this much stuff? And other people had the first round of the flu — heck, my mom caught it from Emma — so isn’t a strange coincidence that she got it too? Or that she got it right after getting over the flu?? Meanwhile, she has lost weight since her appt. a mere week and a half ago.

Do you see why I AM SO STRESSED??!!! What the heck is going on with my poor little bunny? SOMEONE TELL ME! Is she just sleepy because she’s exhausted or is she starting to dehydrate? Do I wake her in her sleep to give her fluids or let her get the rest she needs? Is she crying because her tummy hurts, or is she hungry? Or thirsty? Or just plain ticked off that she can’t go out and enjoy the sun?! As you can see, this is what the inside of my brain looks like: ???????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Breathe…]

Okay, now that I’ve made myself look like a total crackpot, rest assured that I am in regular contact with her doctor, so don’t worry too much — just pray. I know nothing is seriously wrong with Emma — and for that we are very blessed — but that’s all relative when you’re a parent. It’s all stressful, no matter what the situation.