A Surprise Zebra!

These pictures were taken yesterday.  He is only getting sweeter by the day!

An improvement & a green movement

Miles' new diuretic medication seems to be making him feel better.  He was much calmer yesterday once it hit his system.  This new drug is reducing his fluid build-up and increasing our diaper usage 10 fold.  Makes me wonder if I can get away with raising a free-range child.  You know, let him cruise around diaper-less in the backyard with the pups.  Just a thought, since I am dropping so much money on Pampers.  I am currently investigating the cloth/reusable diaper route.  I was a clothe diaper kids, as was Jesse.  Needless to say, those diapers of yore have undergone some serious technological advances.  And they seem so stylish, too.  I just have to convince Jesse that using our washing machine for diapers is a good investment.  This is going to be a hard sell- he gets squeamish with this topic.  

Check out gDiapers. They are the front runner of new diaper choices:

http://www.gdiapers.com/shop/

Tick Tock

Looks like life will continue to get harder for a bit longer.  Miles had a check-up with his regular pediatrician today.  Our main concern was his increasing fussiness and almost-to-sprout bottom tooth.  The doc' main concern was different.  Apparently Miles has gained too much weight from last week, almost 11 ounces.  She thinks this is a sign that our little man is storing fluid in his lungs- a nasty side-effect of the heart failure.  The change in behavior could also be linked to cardiac issues.  You can tell he is uncomfortable.  It's hard to get Miles to settle down, and he gets worked up very easily.  These are frightening times.  I sit and obsess over the upcoming operation.  There are so many what-ifs; I am losing breathing room.  We have 15 days to go until the surgery.  8 days until the cardiac MRI.  7 days until we meet with the surgeon.  5 days until we meet with the cardiologist.  18 hours until I am back at the pediatrician's office for another weight check and potential adjustment of the new diuretic medication.  1o seconds until I lean down and kiss my son's forehead.  

The mysteries of babies, part 2

Babies are never to be trusted.

Yesterday Miles told me that it was okay for us to skip a few of his naps.  He said he'd rather play with me instead.  At the time I thought this was a lovely suggestion, so thoughtful of him.  However, he played me like a deck of cards.  Miles' ulterior motive was to teach me this very important lesson: Babies are never to be trusted.  I trusted him when he cooed that missing a little sleep won't cause any issues.  Was he being honest with me?  Was my 12 pound ball of love being forthright with his dear sweet mama?  Nope.  Nada.  No dice.  By seven last night, he was so overtired that he cried for 90 minutes straight.  And this cry fest was not a simple parade of tears and whimpers.  He let loose with banshee-worthy screams.  I looked for anger management class for him- or at least a 24 hot line that could talk him down.  Surely those police negotiators could help in this crisis.  Foolish first time parents that we are, Jesse and I ran through every illness that could explain his behavior.  After we extinguished all rational possibilities, like ear aches and sore gums, the light bulb finally turned on- this kid is an infant zombie!  At this point, we just had to ride out the tantrum.  With many songs and back rubs, his fuss train ran out of coal.  Jesse and I had to pull 20 minute alternating shifts.  The question begs, did I learn my lesson?  You better believe it; no more having the baby call the shots.  In fact, today he asked to borrow the phone to make a local call.  I knew not to give in because most of friends live out of state; he's not tricking me into extra charges.  I wonder what he's got up his onesie sleeve now.

Computer Camera Fun

Aren't we silly?  Silly like biscuits!

Bottom-lips and Blessings

All's quiet on the Thomas front.  In fact, things are just peachy.  I am nervous to make such a proclamation, but that's the pessimist in me.  (I prefer to call myself a negative psychic- it has a better ring to it.)  Foolish musing like luck still call some of the shots in my brain.  I hate to tempt fate, yet this good news needs to be shared.  Seems like all I post lately are setbacks, disappointments, and fears.  Well, let this news freshen this blog like a pine tree car air freshener!

First at bat is the news that my chromosomes are normal- 46 in all.  Looks like my dream career of being an X-Man has been dashed.  On the plus side, future children are now a possibility- pending Jesse's test results.  We want little man Miles to have at least one sibling.  I loved being pregnant; it has been the only time I have enjoyed my tummy.  In the final months of my pregnancy, I always had one of my hands resting on my belly; letting Miles now I was holding him safely.  Carrying around a little, swirling ball of life was an honor.  Every time Miles would swim around, my soul would soar, as did the spirits of anyone who happened to have their palms on my tummy, too.  Being pregnant and now being a mother has opened my mind to a new world of personal possibilities- I am feeling more compassionate, loving, and centered than I ever have before.  Miles has given me direction and insight.  Being a mother feels like a natural fit.  Five to ten years ago, I never would have thought that motherhood would be something I could enjoy.  At that point, I was anything but maternal.  I now see that being a mommy is not something I simply enjoy, it is truly a role that makes me thrive.  

Secondly, Miles is continuing his amazing pace of development.  Last night, while playing before bath, he smiled at the mirror.  First time ever!  He not only smiled at himself, he grabbed the mirror, pulled it closer, played with his mirror image hands, and even held a conversation with his reflected self.  Jesse and I howled with laughter at how silly Miles was acting with his new found friend.  Mirror Miles and little man Miles really enjoy each others company.  I put a mirror in his crib last night- one of the plastic/fabric sorts that you can tie to the railing.  This morning I found Miles 1 and Miles 2 hanging out, completely engaged with one another, and ignoring the fact that there was a wet diaper with my name on it.  Score one for reflections!  

Next, Miles had his first session with the occupational therapist, Robin, yesterday.  She is an absolute delight- so friendly and tender with Miles.  He, on the other hand, was not initially keen about hanging out with this strange lady who was taking up space in his nursery.  About two weeks ago, Miles started fussing with strangers.  He has latched on to his mommy and daddy.  He also responds well to his grandparents.  However, if you are not on this list, you get ten seconds of a poked out bottom lip, aka the warning signal.  The bottom lip followed by a guttural wail that is only soothed by singing John Lennon songs (a recent discovery).  Robin got the lip, but I didn't snag him immediately.  My mistake- it took 5 minutes just to calm him down since I was too embarrased to sing "Imagine" in front of her.  Truth be known, it makes me feel special when Miles cries for his mommy.  Having him recognize me is an amazing feeling.  Maybe one day when I am feeling blue, I'l just introduce Miles to strangers and wait for that bottom "I want my mommy" lip to emerge.  Then I can swoop in as the hero!  A cheap ploy that will only exist in my imagination, I promise!  Moving on- once little man calmed down, we had an amazing OT session.  Miles eventually warmed up to Robin and showed her all of his accomplishments.  Our new task is to master rolling from his back to his tummy.  We will scaffold the process by starting him on his side- let those muscle groups gain some strength.  

And speaking of strong muscles, Miles can now scoot himself to the end of his crib.  Last night, Jesse found our boy with his blanket bundled legs completely sticking out between the bars at the end of the crib.  Mind you, Miles is accomplishing this feat while fully swaddled.  And this is a professional swaddle- a blanket that is solely made for swaddling.  It has two sets of velcro tabs.  We lovingly call it the baby straight jacket.  Miles calls it his Slip 'n' Slide.  He remains totally inside of the blanket on his crib excursions.  Last night I heard him grunting on the monitor.  Silly me, I thought he was dreaming about filling his diaper.  Instead, Miles was using worm-like wiggling motions to move approximately 2 feet- all while dreaming of treadmills and race tracks.

Finally, I think our week might be rosy due to Sunday's blessing.  We met at my parents house, we Thomas three and both sets of grandparents, for a blessing for Miles' upcoming operation.  The official blessing was done my hometown minister and a seminary student.  Additionally, everybody added a few words.  My contribution was more of an offering of gratefulness.  I shared one of many images I hold for Miles.  To me, he is the Great Magnet.  As the Great Magnet, Miles has brought together our two families and a multitude of friends and support.  He holds us together in these difficult times.  He also repels much of the negativity that  can quickly surface.  Miles is a uniter, a linker, a magnet that helps us remain close and strong.  For those who follow this blog, Miles has worked his magnetic charm on you.  

The mysteries of babies, part 1

How come what goes in white always comes out green???

My Son, the Flirt

He was born to break hearts. . .Miles has won over every nurse at Dr. G's office. We went for a weight check this morning. The good news is Miles is back on track. Last week he didn't gain enough weight; I responded my super-gluing a bottle to his mouth and shoveling in rice cereal any time he paused for a smile. Seriously, that was scary. But today he gained almost 1/2 a pound. Good news! As for my son's future career as a ladies' man, that's looking like a done deal. When we checked in the front desk, I heard two of the nurses say, "Ohhhh- Miles is here. He's my baby." I don't mind sharing him, but I am not going to share any credit for the birth. I was the one breathing her brains out- where is my medal?? Anyways- these nurses just love him. I can't blame them; he's like a tasty butter biscuit, a sweet silly goose, a baby bumble bee. . .all names I call him. The next phase is to train Miles to parlay his flirting into getting free stuff- just like his daddy. I can't remember the last time Jesse paid for a cup of coffee. And I never get jealous as long as I also get a free cup. Maybe Miles can flirt his way into a new Prius for mommy.

Howdy from Miles

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Chariot of Fur

Tonight at Casa del Thomas. . .

The above pictures feature Miles sitting on Rajah, our senior ranking hound. Raj has gotten crotchety is the past few years and typically doesn't tolerate too much silliness. However, when it comes to Miles, Raj is willing to make an exception. He let Miles on his back for 2 minutes- time enough to find the camera and snap two pictures. Not enough time to change the photo setting to color, hence Raj has faded into the shadows. In honor of Raj's coolness, I am dubbing him a Chariot of Fur. (or should it be Chariot of Fur-er)

Miles and Mommy chillin' on the only leopard sofa in the colonial district. I'm certain we'd get fined if the item in question was spotted from the road. I think that's why I love it so much. It's actually a Thomas family heirloom. Maybe someday Miles will be able to call it his own; that's if I am willing to share.