So we're in the Surgical Waiting Center at CHOP, waiting for Oliver to come out of surgery. He was such a good little baby while we waited for the surgery to begin. He couldn't eat after 6 a.m. so I woke up at 5 to feed him and then went back to sleep until 6:30 or so. Then we got up and got ready to leave. I had to give Oliver a bath, since I didn't know how long the casts were going to be on him after the surgery. We haven't had casts on for 2 weeks now and it's been so nice. I can give him baths, and I love to see his little feet! After his bath he got his neublizer treatement. Tim's mom came over and brought us coffee, which was great. We were just about to leave when Mac woke up. She was so cute -- she had to give her little brother so many kisses before he left. I don't usually tell her that we are going to the doctor/hospital for Oliver -- she never asks, I never tell. But she found out today and seemed to sad to see him go. But by the time we left she was happy to spend the day (and have a sleepover) with Nanny Nancy.
We got to CHOP 10 minutes late. Not too bad for us. Each time we're late for something here I'm so nervous, but then we sit around and wait. And that's what we did today. We waited for about 45 minutes before they called us into our little pre-op cubby. Then they took his medical history again, and weighed him to be sure the anesthesia level was correct. The little porkchop has gained almost a pound since his weigh in 2 weeks ago. This brings him to 7 1/2 pounds in just under 4 months!
The anesthesiologist just came out and told me that they are done and everything is fine. We can go see him soon! They warned me that because of his "well-fed state," they couldn't get the IV in so he is a bit bruised. Poor little man. But he didn't feel it because he was already asleep. And now the doctor came out and told us that all went well. They released the tendons and his feet are at a 90 degree angle. We have to bring him back in 2 weeks for new casts. I can't wait to go see him!
Since our wait was cut short, you'll be spared my description of all of the great things that CHOP has to offer parents -- for now. Let's just say that if you have the "parent bracelet" you get free coffee at the McDonald's downstairs. Could you imagine if it was a Starbucks -- I'd never leave!
06 December 2007
02 December 2007
As if life wasn't exciting enough...
It's snowing!
Mac has started to use the potty!
I got bangs!
Ooh-di-lolly!
Mac has started to use the potty!
I got bangs!
Ooh-di-lolly!
30 November 2007
We've Got to Keep on Movin'
We have a potentially busy week ahead. Hopefully everything will fall into place, but I feel like with us, you never know.
Oliver is sick (again). I took him to the dr. last Saturday and they told us he had a head cold. So I've been suctioning his little boogies with a nasal aspirator (I'll admit -- I kind of like it) and keeping the humidifier on all night. But it sounded like it had started to progress to a chest cold, so I took him to the dr. today, and it turns out he has a little wheezing. So it's back on the nebulizer for our little man. This normally wouldn't be too bad, but he has his surgery scheduled for next Thursday. If he has even a little congestion, they won't do it because he won't be able to go under anesthesia.
I have mixed feelings because while I'm not really looking forward to the surgery, I want him to have it. I am petrified of him going under anesthesia, even though he has already done it once and been fine. Although I am a big believer in and very trusting of the medical profession in general, I'm really starting to feel like less is more. Less medicine, less intrusion, less vaccinations. Ironic timing for this frame of mind, since we are constantly taking Oliver to the doctor for something. Since the surgery is only on his feet, I wonder if the risks are worth it. According to the dr. they definitely are. It sounds like the risks are actually minimal -- I'm just scared. And if we ever want him to have a chance at using braces to be mobile, it has to be done. I just hate the thought of putting a little baby, my little baby, under anesthesia.
So, Tuesday we take him in to the pediatrician for a recheck to make sure he is okay for surgery.
Wednesday I am heading out to Penn State Abington for my first on-campus interview! I'm so excited. I had a preliminary interview with them at the conference in Chicago and they called me back last night. So I have an interview with the chancellor, the search committee, and I have to teach a 45 minutes class in PR theory. Um...I don't really know what PR theory is. I have this weekend to figure it out.
Thursday, if we are lucky*, we have surgery (* indicates that the word "lucky" is used cautiously -- reference my rant above)
Friday holds more contingent plans. If I am lucky (and this time I use the term unreservedly) I get to present my pre-proposal, which is the first part of my dissertation. According to my committe chair, it is finally ready for semi-public consumption. This is pending approval of my second committee member, but Marya (my chair) was confident enough to put me on the schedule. So... yay!
On Saturday we have a birthday party for our friend Cole. He is the adorable son of my college roommate, Julia, and he is turning 3. I love for Mac to get in the playtime, and it gives me a chance to catch up with Julia. My other roommate Dana will be there with her 3 cuties, so I'm really looking forward to it.
On Sunday, Tim and I have a date!! This never happens. We are going to have dinner and go Christmas shopping for our little ones. This is the first time we have shopped together -- usually I pick out everything online. But now that Mac is older and wants every single thing she sees on TV, I feel like we have to shop and weigh our options in person.
And I have to fit in time to work next week, too. Luckily, much of that is mobile.
Okay, so I realize that this might be a bit too close of a look into our lives. Basically the only thing I left out is what I ate for breakfast this morning (oatmeal and starbucks). But I'm bursting at the seams with everything that is going on. Stress level on high, excitement notched up, and the only person home to ramble to is Oliver. He is a very good listener, but he is asleep (maybe he's pretending so he doesn't have to listen to me talk). So please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, and by the end of next weekend, we could have a job, successful surgery, a dissertation milestone, and a treeful of Christmas gifts.
Oliver is sick (again). I took him to the dr. last Saturday and they told us he had a head cold. So I've been suctioning his little boogies with a nasal aspirator (I'll admit -- I kind of like it) and keeping the humidifier on all night. But it sounded like it had started to progress to a chest cold, so I took him to the dr. today, and it turns out he has a little wheezing. So it's back on the nebulizer for our little man. This normally wouldn't be too bad, but he has his surgery scheduled for next Thursday. If he has even a little congestion, they won't do it because he won't be able to go under anesthesia.
I have mixed feelings because while I'm not really looking forward to the surgery, I want him to have it. I am petrified of him going under anesthesia, even though he has already done it once and been fine. Although I am a big believer in and very trusting of the medical profession in general, I'm really starting to feel like less is more. Less medicine, less intrusion, less vaccinations. Ironic timing for this frame of mind, since we are constantly taking Oliver to the doctor for something. Since the surgery is only on his feet, I wonder if the risks are worth it. According to the dr. they definitely are. It sounds like the risks are actually minimal -- I'm just scared. And if we ever want him to have a chance at using braces to be mobile, it has to be done. I just hate the thought of putting a little baby, my little baby, under anesthesia.
So, Tuesday we take him in to the pediatrician for a recheck to make sure he is okay for surgery.
Wednesday I am heading out to Penn State Abington for my first on-campus interview! I'm so excited. I had a preliminary interview with them at the conference in Chicago and they called me back last night. So I have an interview with the chancellor, the search committee, and I have to teach a 45 minutes class in PR theory. Um...I don't really know what PR theory is. I have this weekend to figure it out.
Thursday, if we are lucky*, we have surgery (* indicates that the word "lucky" is used cautiously -- reference my rant above)
Friday holds more contingent plans. If I am lucky (and this time I use the term unreservedly) I get to present my pre-proposal, which is the first part of my dissertation. According to my committe chair, it is finally ready for semi-public consumption. This is pending approval of my second committee member, but Marya (my chair) was confident enough to put me on the schedule. So... yay!
On Saturday we have a birthday party for our friend Cole. He is the adorable son of my college roommate, Julia, and he is turning 3. I love for Mac to get in the playtime, and it gives me a chance to catch up with Julia. My other roommate Dana will be there with her 3 cuties, so I'm really looking forward to it.
On Sunday, Tim and I have a date!! This never happens. We are going to have dinner and go Christmas shopping for our little ones. This is the first time we have shopped together -- usually I pick out everything online. But now that Mac is older and wants every single thing she sees on TV, I feel like we have to shop and weigh our options in person.
And I have to fit in time to work next week, too. Luckily, much of that is mobile.
Okay, so I realize that this might be a bit too close of a look into our lives. Basically the only thing I left out is what I ate for breakfast this morning (oatmeal and starbucks). But I'm bursting at the seams with everything that is going on. Stress level on high, excitement notched up, and the only person home to ramble to is Oliver. He is a very good listener, but he is asleep (maybe he's pretending so he doesn't have to listen to me talk). So please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, and by the end of next weekend, we could have a job, successful surgery, a dissertation milestone, and a treeful of Christmas gifts.
28 November 2007
Fall in Photos
So if you've been wondering where the photos have been, let me remind you about the computer crash of '07 that took with it my photo-sharing software. I'm not one to name names, but Tim lost the original disc, so I've had tons of photos stuck on my camera. Well no more! I hauled my butt to CVS and made a photo CD. So without further ado, here is our Fall in Photos.
2 1/2 is a precocious age...
Evidence that Oliver does sleep.
Family Parties
Pumpkin Picking 
Look at the size difference between August and November!
Happy Halloween! Note the difference between last year's princess and this year's super hero...
At Christine & Jeffery's wedding -- Mac was the flower girl.
Look at the size difference between August and November!
Happy Thanksgiving!
16 November 2007
My Kind of Town
So here I am in Chicago. I'm at a communication conference for school. Before I left, my heart was breaking. I couldn't imagine being away from the family for even 2 days. Especially since I'm still breastfeeding Oliver -- we really do have a special physical bond. I really do like this conference, though, so I knew that once I got here it would be okay. I love to fly, especially alone. Isn't that weird? I guess it makes me feel like a grown up. And it gives me a chance to veg out and do whatever I want. I love hotels, too. We are staying in the Hilton, which is sooo nice. Although I hate giving even a dime to the Hilton empire, because in my mind, it all ends up being funneled to Paris and her dog Tinkerbell. Really, for all of the money that family has, they should just let us all stay here for free. But if we have to pay, it is kind of worth it. The bed is so soft -- even the carpets are ridiculously plush. And in what is the coolest thing ever (especially given my recent and growing obsession) the downstairs bar turns into a Starbucks in the morning!!
The conference itself is also pretty good. There are tons and tons of "sessions" to go to in which 3-4 people present papers that they have written. Each session is, of course, centered around a theme. You can just go through the program and put together a schedule of pretty interesting stuff. You can also make sure that you go to sessions of people whose work you have read for research or in class. Really cool in a geeky kind of way. The conference is also a really good time to catch up with friends that I don't get to see very often. It has been really great seeing everyone that I miss for the other 51 weeks of the year. And I'm getting used to presenting papers, too. I co-presented yesterday and it went pretty well. I'm even having drinks -- woo hoo! And there are parties to go to. And a job fair for those of us desperately in need of a job -- I even have an interview set up for this morning. All in all, it's a combination of fun and work packed into a very short window of time.
However, all of my mom instincts are not gone. I'm pumping breastmilk like crazy -- I am truly a woman obsessed. So even though I am drinking, I weigh each drink carefully, just so that I don't have to dump too much milk. And I'm locking myself in the hotel room for a while this afternoon just so that I can get work done on my dissertation. No use wasting time having fun -- if I have 3 hours without distraction, I need to use it for work!
The conference itself is also pretty good. There are tons and tons of "sessions" to go to in which 3-4 people present papers that they have written. Each session is, of course, centered around a theme. You can just go through the program and put together a schedule of pretty interesting stuff. You can also make sure that you go to sessions of people whose work you have read for research or in class. Really cool in a geeky kind of way. The conference is also a really good time to catch up with friends that I don't get to see very often. It has been really great seeing everyone that I miss for the other 51 weeks of the year. And I'm getting used to presenting papers, too. I co-presented yesterday and it went pretty well. I'm even having drinks -- woo hoo! And there are parties to go to. And a job fair for those of us desperately in need of a job -- I even have an interview set up for this morning. All in all, it's a combination of fun and work packed into a very short window of time.
However, all of my mom instincts are not gone. I'm pumping breastmilk like crazy -- I am truly a woman obsessed. So even though I am drinking, I weigh each drink carefully, just so that I don't have to dump too much milk. And I'm locking myself in the hotel room for a while this afternoon just so that I can get work done on my dissertation. No use wasting time having fun -- if I have 3 hours without distraction, I need to use it for work!
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