Facing Fears

In the last few weeks I have started to believe that Ellie has a serious case of White Coat Syndrome because every time I have taken her to the pediatrician's office, even for a simple well check, the girl loses her mind. I have sung to her, played with her, rocked her and made a fool of myself in an attempt to keep her calm -- all to no avail.

This was major issue when it came time to have her blood drawn for her one-year check. We made it a family affair as Brian was due for a blood draw himself. After giving the lab assistant Ellie's info I reminded him that I needed a heat pack for her heel. He replied, "Oh no, they'll be taking it from her arm." "Wha-what?!?!" I stammered, because I was under the delusion assumption that Ellie was too little for that and it would most certainly be a heel stick. The assistant assured me that everything would be fine. Sure.

I have a feeling Ellie knew what was going on right from the start because as soon as we sat in the chair and the lab techs pulled out the elastic band, she started whimpering. Her whimpers quickly turned into wails when they wrapped the band around her arm in an attempt to find a vein. This went on for 15-20 minutes, with them switching back and forth between her arms. Meanwhile, I was holding Ellie's legs between mine, grasping whichever flailing arm the techs weren't putting the tourniquet band around, all the while trying (and mostly failing) to keep her relaxed.

There was one funny part to this story. When Brian (who came in separately from Ellie and me) was finished he came over to us and as Ellie was crying told her, "Don't worry, sweetie, it'll be okay." Then he started patting her leg. After some very suspicious glances from the techs, who assumed he was a stranger and a nut for coming over to a mother and her child, he said, "Maybe this is a good time to tell you that I'm her father."

After what seemed like an eternity they finally found a good vein and, thank goodness, were able to get the needle in on the first try. By now my legs were shaking as I was trying to keep Ellie still. She calmed down somewhat while they drew her blood, after which they patched her up and we stood up to leave. As soon as we were upright (faint of heart or stomach stop reading here), Ellie immediately threw up all over the lab floor, my jeans, jacket and in the side pocket of my purse. I stared in disbelief, speechless. Not even two seconds later, in what seemed like a scene straight out of The Exorcist, she projectile puked everything else that might have been in her stomach.

Let me interrupt right now and tell you that I am NOT a person that has EVER dealt well with getting sick to my stomach, especially anyone else getting sick either. In fact, I can count on one hand how many times I have been sick to my stomach that I remember, and I have always dreaded the moment when I would have to deal with my child having an upset stomach. Veteran parents have always told me that, while yes it would still be really gross, since it was my child it would be different.

Once I got past the amazement and slight fascination that my one-year-old had just turned into Old Faithful (I know, so gross), I forgot all about the "ick" factor and could only think about was how incredibly worked up she must have been to illicit that kind of reaction. Her face was white as a sheet -- poor thing. :( The lab techs were all so kind and told us not to worry. One of them told me, "Honey, I've had grown-up patients get sick before. Just get your little one cleaned up and we'll take care of this." Thank goodness I don't work in a lab, or in any type of clinical setting for that matter.

Ellie whimpered on the way home but seemed to cheer up once we got her changed and gave her some water -- she even took a two hour nap afterwards. Seems like immunizations might be a breeze after this experience.

Jinxed

I completely jinxed myself in that post about getting over illnesses in this house. The tickle in my throat that I woke up with on Friday has quickly turned into a very raw, sore throat, congestion and overall fatigue. My husband is particularly amused that I sound like Bea Arthur every time I open my mouth -- he then sarenades me with a few bars of "Thank You For Being a Friend." I feel like I'm going through box after box of tissues and chugging gallons of tea. Ellie is still dealing with a drippy nose, but it seems to be easing up a bit.

We also started the transition to one nap over the weekend -- maybe I need to work on my timing. Ellie spent most of yesterday looking like this (although not with the avocado face mask).

I know the transition won't happen overnight, but oh, how I wish it could be that simple! Now please excuse me while I hook up my chicken soup IV. :)

Story Time

January Catch-Up

Are we really more than halfway through January already? Somehow between putting away Christmas decorations, buying a new car, selling the Jeep and the revolving door of illness in this house (Ellie's first, although mild, ear infection, runny nose and my head cold that hung around for almost two weeks), this month has almost passed us by! Brian has been on R&R since last week and it has been wonderful to have a good chunk of time off with him and not be going anywhere. We got just about everything done on our almost never-ending to-do list just in time for Brian to go back to work tomorrow!

Having Brian home gave me the chance to get a few projects done around the house. My friend Sara just had her second baby (another boy!) so I sewed a hooter hider for her based off of the one my best friend made me when Ellie was born. I love the fabric she chose!

I also finished the curtains I had been working on for Ellie's room, which happens to be on the south side of the house and always gets a lot of sun. It hasn't affected her ability to nap so far, but I really wanted to soften the little bit of bright light that still comes through the blinds, so I really wanted to get these done before Brian went back to work. I'm just the embodiment of domesticity. :)

Last weekend, Ellie had a visit from Maggie (her NICP nurse), who was very pleased with her overall development -- she's right on track! Ellie weighed just over 16 pounds at this visit, so Maggie suggested we add a few more full-fat, high-calorie foods like ice cream and milkshakes to Ellie's diet. Really? Ice cream and milkshakes? What kid wouldn't love those foods? :) We're not planning to go too overboard with full-fat foods, but putting just a little more weight on her tiny frame wouldn't be such a bad thing.

We went out for gelato at Frost a few days later. Ellie was a big fan of their vanilla flavor.

We also went to Zinburger for dinner last week although not on the same day as Frost -- that would have been a bit ridiculous. I wouldn't be surprised if we got some dubious stares while Ellie shoveled grilled cheese and sweet potato fries in her mouth while slurping down a milkshake. I may be seeing things, but she looks like she's putting on a little weight already. Don't worry, she gets plenty of vegetables and fruit at home.

Since our Tucson winters are so mild, we have been trying to get outside as much as possible to take advantage of the weather. We've made a few trips to the park and even though Ellie isn't running around yet, she always has fun on the swings -- Daddy taught her to give high fives!

She still enjoys practicing her yoga.

In other news, Ellie has started cruising around the furniture downstairs in the last two weeks, and in a few brave attempts has tried to move between two of our dining room chairs. She does not, however, desire any assistance from either Brian or me and will promptly pull her legs up to sit down if we try to help her walk. Her speech is coming along very well, and most recently she has started saying dog (sounds like "da") whenever she hears one barking. We don't own a dog, but her frequency of using "da" is a very good indication of how many dogs there are in the neighborhood, and how often those dogs are barking.Ultimately, all that playing, cruising and talking leaves our peanut all tuckered out. 

Little Clicks

Ellie started imitating us clicking our tongues about two months ago, and it occurred to me the other day that it would be a good idea to get a clip of it!

Hiking Sabino Canyon

Finally got the hiking backpack out of the closet and she loves it!

Miss Manners

Like most kids her age, Ellie has started pointing to things -- only she doesn't use her index finger but rather her middle finger.

Here's an example... a little blurry, but you get the point.

Obviously, this can become problematic at times and can sometimes come off as downright offensive, although naturally, it's never intended and usually ends with hilarious results.

This particular incident was relayed from Brian since I was in the aisle over and wasn't a witness to it:

We were doing our grocery shopping earlier this afternoon at the commissary (fancy name for the base grocery store), which was much more laid-back since Brian was on hand to help out, and as a result takes half the time. However, 'tis the season for snow birds here in Tucson so the commissary was fraught with senior citizens, motorized carts and oxygen tanks. As we were finishing our shopping and Brian and Ellie were going down the last aisle of frozen foods, Brian saw an older woman complimenting a young mother on the good behavior of her son.

This was how their conversation went:
"Is this your little boy?" the older woman asked.
"Yes he is."
"Oh, he's so well behaved!" the woman fawned. "I was walking down the aisle and he stepped aside to let me pass and he was just so pleasant! That means you're a good parent."

She immediately turned around to see Ellie, flashing not a smile, but her middle finger. Needless to say, there were no compliments and Brian made a bee-line for the check-out registers, but there were some good laughs between the he and I on the way home.