Tiger's 2 Months Update

Took little Tiger in to the doctor's today. My other kids were pretty well behaved, and we were back home within an hour. Tiger is doing well, cheerful the whole time except when getting his first round of shots. Poor boy. He is such a champ. Here are his stats:

W: 12 lbs 2.5 oz  95%
L: 24 inches  100%
Head: 15.5 inches  97%

At his 2 week check-up he was also in the 95-100% range in everything, so he's staying steady, no worries or surprises.

Last Tuesday we attended our annual ward summer swimming party at Scera pool.Bear was very comfortable in the water, wandering all over the large shallow pool (they have a deep-end pool on the other side), the water up to his shoulders and chin. Looks like he is ready to start learning how to swim. Before we had kids, we decided Werty would be in charge of that, since he is the better swimmer. (I am supposed to teach our kids basketball, since I have more experience there. That was the trade off.) Little Miss wore water wings and played with her daddy. I had about 10 mins with Little Miss in the water, then took care of the baby and visited the rest of the time.

On the way home from the party, Tiger was not happy in the stroller, probably because it was after 9pm and getting dark. Almost as soon as I take him out and Werty goes on ahead with the empty stroller, Little Miss decides she is done pushing her umbrella stroller and wants to be pushed. So, I am holding the baby on my chest with one hand, pushing a 2 year old with the other hand. When something that felt like a leaf blew into the side of my head, I did not have a spare hand to investigate. I waved at it once, and thought the leaf had fallen out of my hair onto the ground. Well, I get home, put the baby down, walk into the bathroom to wash my hands. I look into the mirror and scream. There on the front side of my shoulder, inches from where I had been holding my baby is a 2 inch long scarab-looking black beetle. (Google cottonwood stag beetle to see a picture of it.) The first thought that comes to my mind is the episode of Doct0r Wh0 when Donna Noble has the scarab attached to her back that she can't quite see, feeding off of and erasing her future potential. Bear's reaction to seeing the beetle was, "Yay, we can keep it as a pet!" We got a jar, put some leaves and a little water in it, and kept him for a week. Today, we let our pet go back to the park. I explained to Bear that it needed to go back to the park or it would die of starvation because it was starting to look sluggishly frantic. He found a nice spot under a tree, and let it go. It was interesting to watch all week, but I am glad it is gone.

Renaming the Blog

When I started writing a blog, I put it off at first with the rationale that we didn't have kids yet, and the blog would be mostly for sharing updates about kids with family and friends. Well, so I started the blog right after we found out we were finally expecting our first (best Christmas surprise ever!). The blog was Audra and Werty for, like, a week. But only my FFXI friends knew me as Audra, so I changed it to Zanne and Werty. Zanne was already my nickname in the blogosphere thanks to my best friend. When I was teaching, I jotted down the funny things that my high school students said or did. But it has been a long time since our family focus was on my husband and I. Now that I am a stay at home mom, it's my kids that do funny things that I should mention. Often times I forget to write them down. I hope that changing the title will remind me that the blog really is about updating family and friends about my cute kids and the hilarious and creative things they do. I need some stories to embarrass them with later, right?

One quick update: Tiger (named Tiger because we already had Bear, and Little Miss' favorite animal to pretend to be at present really is a Lion...so I couldn't resist.) is quite the cheerful 8 week old. I shouldn't be surprised, it was even mentioned in his blessing. He already smiles back at us and occasionally he has laughed as well. He has been doing it for a week and a half. My grandmother's response was that he was probably too young to really be interacting - and then 3 minutes later she experienced it for herself and she changed her mind. She agreed that he really was smiling back at her.

Day 4 of low sugar

I thought better of trying to avoid sugar altogether. So, today is day #4 of no sugary snacks, high sugar foods, or desserts which I am referring to as a "low sugar" diet. That means I can still eat my breakfast cereal, so there. Oh, and the ward summer party didn't count...because Werty forgot about the low sugar deal, and in his kindness went through the dessert line for me and got me a brownie and cookie. I think my mood has been calmer this week, which means that my energy level has been more consistent, even if I am tired. I'm calling that a win.

Maybe tomorrow...or next week

I was thinking of giving up refined sugar for a week, and see how I feel. When I am tired, I eat more sugary foods to help me stay awake. Middle of the night feedings, combined with late nights with Little Miss 2 as she transitions to her new twin size bed (and a new bedtime routine), have left me rather tired. I thought a week-long fast might get things under control.

I have started up running again. Last week was my 3rd time running since I had baby #3, Tiger. I ran 1/4 mile, 1/2 mile and 1/2  mile, with 1/4 mile walking breaks. I was trying to complete the C25k program for week #4 (running 1/4, 1/2, 1/4, 1/2 miles) but I ran out of time and the rec center was turning the lights out on me as I left the track. So, I am trying to boost my energy level with exercise already.

Yesterday, I floated this idea by Werty to give up sugar for a week, starting on Sunday. He seemed relieved it would only be for a week, and agreed to be supportive. Then later that day at the store, he bought a package of oreos because they were having an awesome sale. He said that the little voice in his head reminded him that he had agreed to support me in giving up sugar. He told the little voice that they were ON SALE. Well, I got hungry at church today, and the only thing I had in the diaper bag was a granola bar. Sugar is the 3rd ingredient listed, but I ate it rather than getting shaky while I nursed the baby. Then after lunch today, those oreos were calling me. They told me to start my sugar fast tomorrow. I said okay and ate two. Then Werty reminded me of all the events coming up this week, that we have something going on every evening. Photo appointment, ward swimming party, Friberg painting viewing in SLC, and Les Mis at the Scera Shell. And we discussed how we might be picking something up and eating on the fly a couple of nights to make it to these events. I sighed and told myself, maybe tomorrow, or maybe next week, I will start.

Meanwhile, here's some pics to enjoy from our summer thus far:

The kids enjoyed some water fun at the neighbor friend's birthday party.

 Blowing bubbles together.

 Family reunion, my Dad's side, in SLC.



Later that day we attended Orem's Summerfest with Ddonn and her kids. This year Little Miss was old enough to go on a couple of rides with her big brother.



Tiger was blessed on Father's Day by Werty.

We have been using our firepit to make s'mores for FHE, proving to Bear that FHE is not always boring. Litte Miss decided that s'mores are "yummy."

 

 And here is what Tiger looks like this week.

Baby Brother

He was born 8 lbs 11 oz, rounded up from 10.6 oz. He is 20.5 inches long. After getting my water broken, I was able to go into labor without any pitocin. And everything was going fine for the first few hours, and then things quickly changed. This was my scariest birthing experience, and I am really grateful for my Doctor and her knowledge of my previous births. She made the call, and gave me the chance to avoid a C-section. Her updates and comments during the process were the most honest and helpful. My son's cord was wrapped around his neck twice, but I was able to delivery him quickly and safely. They had to do a work-up on him at the hospital and monitor him, but he passed with flying colors. He has been such a trooper!

More Progress, woohoo!

Dr's appointment today, and I am at 3cm. She said those contractions I had last week must have helped. There is a good chance I will have this baby in the next few days. But if not, the induction is scheduled for May23rd. May 23rd would be an easy birthday to remember - 2 + 3 = 5, or 5/23. I'm such a nerd. :P

My mom is sending me copies of my baby pictures, and pictures of me when I was little. I don't really have any, so it's hard for me to prove to people that my kids look somewhat like me, and not just Werty. Little Miss 2 especially looks more like me, but I hear a lot of people say both kids look just like their father. With a new little boy on the way, it will be nice to post pics side by side

Not yet...

My Dr has asked me the last couple of weeks if I am having any contractions. Other than the normal braxton-hicks stuff, where it's just one area, and then goes away, I have replied, "No." But next Monday, I will be able to say, "Yes!" The braxton-hicks stuff feels like the warning signs of a gallstone attack coming on, if you haven't had that choice experience, just take my word for it. But Monday evening and Wednesday evening, I had contractions, whole belly, much more discomfort and pressure. But after 30-40 minutes of sitting down and taking it easy, they lessened and went away. This gives me hope that maybe my body will go into labor after all. Maybe I won't be induced. Maybe the contractions will start someday soon, and not go away, but get stronger, and then off to the hospital we will go!