Anders is eating like a champion! He has taken 100 mils over his the high end of his target of 470 mils today. I think he is gaining weight at a quicker pace now. I will not know if this is a fact until Anders goes back to the doctor on Thursday and gets weighed again. b Trudy wrote that. She's doing okay, but she does appear to be trying to escape. I think her cat suitcase is packed.
We had a nice, relaxing Thanksgiving and we are watching Planes, Trains and Automobiles now.
Anders slept for 6 straight hours last night, followed by 4 more hours after his feeding. That was his Thanksgiving gift to us.
We have a new plan for getting Anders to sleep, which is to slowly turn down the volume and the lights in the evening to make it bedtimesque (made up word). We are also cutting off his feeding after 30 min. which seems to be working better than letting him dally--Anna-style. We also try now to not let the interval between feeding be less than 3 hours.
It was a nice, relaxing Thanksgiving. A good time was had by all.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
What I learned this weekend.
I learned not to wait until Saturday afternoon to refill Anders' prescriptions. It was the first refill and I did not realize that they would be so hard to come by. I went to CVS--No; Holzer--NO; and Walmart--No, but surprisingly I had the best service from the pharmacist there. She set me up with Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus. Meanwhile, I spent an hour waiting around for her to try to fill it and later to set me up in Columbus. Spending an hour in Walmart on a Saturday afternoon exposes one to a real rogue's gallery of characters. I bet the Athens area has more than one religious cult, not sure, just a hunch.
So I spent my Sunday morning and early afternoon en route and waiting at Children's for them to fill two of Anders' prescriptions. I have to say, CVS in particular did not inspire confidence. The pharmacist looked more like a Buffalo Wild Wings bartender than a pharmacist and he did not know how to pronounce diuril, which seems like it would be a given if you were a pharmacist.
Anders still has a rogue prescription that either Dr. Lepi transcribed incorrectly or Dr. Ted Thompson wrote incorrectly. Since Dr. Thompson can do no wrong in our family's eyes, I'm betting on the former. I hope to get a call from Holzer today about the Potassium Chloride.
I also learned this weekend that Anders exists on DaVinci sleep, about 20 minutes every three hours. He didn't really nap yesterday and slept for about 4 hours last night. I'm not sure if something is wrong, but I don't think so. He cries strongly and flails with much energy. Anders seems quite healthy. He finally exceeded his feeding target for the first time on Saturday so his appetite is good. He simply doesn't sleep.
He was sleeping on my chest this morning. I thought he was totally out, then I put him back. He woke up and started howling uncontrobably, which he is still doing. I'm learning how to function with a wailing baby in the background. I can't think very clearly, but I can get a few chores done. Also, until Anders decides to sleep a bit more, the blogging will suffer.
So I spent my Sunday morning and early afternoon en route and waiting at Children's for them to fill two of Anders' prescriptions. I have to say, CVS in particular did not inspire confidence. The pharmacist looked more like a Buffalo Wild Wings bartender than a pharmacist and he did not know how to pronounce diuril, which seems like it would be a given if you were a pharmacist.
Anders still has a rogue prescription that either Dr. Lepi transcribed incorrectly or Dr. Ted Thompson wrote incorrectly. Since Dr. Thompson can do no wrong in our family's eyes, I'm betting on the former. I hope to get a call from Holzer today about the Potassium Chloride.
I also learned this weekend that Anders exists on DaVinci sleep, about 20 minutes every three hours. He didn't really nap yesterday and slept for about 4 hours last night. I'm not sure if something is wrong, but I don't think so. He cries strongly and flails with much energy. Anders seems quite healthy. He finally exceeded his feeding target for the first time on Saturday so his appetite is good. He simply doesn't sleep.
He was sleeping on my chest this morning. I thought he was totally out, then I put him back. He woke up and started howling uncontrobably, which he is still doing. I'm learning how to function with a wailing baby in the background. I can't think very clearly, but I can get a few chores done. Also, until Anders decides to sleep a bit more, the blogging will suffer.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Visit to the Doctor
Anders had his 2 week check up and thyroid test. I was not impressed with the hustle of the Holzer lab. Dr. Lepi is quite thorough and he gets on the case of some of his more lackadaisical employees. Anders weight is up to 8lbs 90z. He is still in the median of the growth curve, but hasn't gained as much weight as we had hoped. Dr. Lepi suggested that we try to get him to take 425-470 mils per day, so I'm going back to charting the amount he eats.
I really hate taking him to the diseased doctor's office. I know it's cleanest in the morning and people seemed less sick than two weeks ago, but still... I think I feel as much anxiety taking Anders to the doctor as I had as a kid going to the doctor. I was anemic as a kid and had to get blood drawn every month or so. I would get nervous the night before and dreaded the day. I feel the same way with Anders. If it weren't flu season, I would reward Anders by taking us out to get some ice cream like my mom did when I was a kid.
The lab technicians cooed over Anders. I think Anders sort of looked like Derek Zoolander's son. He already gives the "Blue Steel" look. He's a remarkably cute little guy.
I really hate taking him to the diseased doctor's office. I know it's cleanest in the morning and people seemed less sick than two weeks ago, but still... I think I feel as much anxiety taking Anders to the doctor as I had as a kid going to the doctor. I was anemic as a kid and had to get blood drawn every month or so. I would get nervous the night before and dreaded the day. I feel the same way with Anders. If it weren't flu season, I would reward Anders by taking us out to get some ice cream like my mom did when I was a kid.
The lab technicians cooed over Anders. I think Anders sort of looked like Derek Zoolander's son. He already gives the "Blue Steel" look. He's a remarkably cute little guy.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Comings and Goings
We are trying to get Anders to sleep in his crib rather than on us at all times. We received a much needed infusion of steel from Doreen aka Crib Grandma. She showed us how to get Anders in the crib and stay there. We were getting a bit squishy, but now we have more resolve.
It sounds like Greg and Doreen had a good visit. They awoke to take care of Anders on Wed. and Thurs., school nights for Anna. We took Anders out for a couple of stroller rides this weekend. The stroller (outside not inside) is his favorite place. They came on Wednesday afternoon and left this afternoon.
One of the reasons for their visit was my trip to NYC to present a paper at the Intellectual History Conference. It was a great conference with a lot of big names in intellectual history. I received a valuable critique of some of my dissertation arguments. I also saw my former OU grad school friend Julian Nemeth. I took in a few sights. I went down to the WTC site and back up to Harlem. The long term "makeshift" memorial at St. Paul's Church has more heart and soul than whatever they will put in its place. You've probably heard this before, but the site is much larger in person than it seems on TV. St. Paul's is a colonial era church across the street where George Washington attended services on the day of his inauguration (the capital was in NYC then).
We stayed in Secaucus New Jersey. Getting from there to NYC is harder than it should be. I have never been someplace in the states where more roads are totally autonamous of each other, never intersecting. On Thursday, we had to drive into Manhattan for the conference, which wasn't bad, but getting out was difficult and terrifying at the same time. My friend Jeff Bloodworth, who was driving, pretty much always drives like a NYC cabbie so he was right at home in that mess. I've become more convinced than ever that I will never drive in Manhattan. Also, NY state is a much longer state than I imagined. It's Midwestern-state-long.
This week should be a good one for getting into a routine. Anna has her first and only full week of school for a while. Anders should be settling into a routine. Anders goes back to the doctor on Wednesday morning. I bet he will weigh over 9 lbs then. Anders is doing really well healthwise, you wouldn't know anything had been wrong with him.
It sounds like Greg and Doreen had a good visit. They awoke to take care of Anders on Wed. and Thurs., school nights for Anna. We took Anders out for a couple of stroller rides this weekend. The stroller (outside not inside) is his favorite place. They came on Wednesday afternoon and left this afternoon.
One of the reasons for their visit was my trip to NYC to present a paper at the Intellectual History Conference. It was a great conference with a lot of big names in intellectual history. I received a valuable critique of some of my dissertation arguments. I also saw my former OU grad school friend Julian Nemeth. I took in a few sights. I went down to the WTC site and back up to Harlem. The long term "makeshift" memorial at St. Paul's Church has more heart and soul than whatever they will put in its place. You've probably heard this before, but the site is much larger in person than it seems on TV. St. Paul's is a colonial era church across the street where George Washington attended services on the day of his inauguration (the capital was in NYC then).
We stayed in Secaucus New Jersey. Getting from there to NYC is harder than it should be. I have never been someplace in the states where more roads are totally autonamous of each other, never intersecting. On Thursday, we had to drive into Manhattan for the conference, which wasn't bad, but getting out was difficult and terrifying at the same time. My friend Jeff Bloodworth, who was driving, pretty much always drives like a NYC cabbie so he was right at home in that mess. I've become more convinced than ever that I will never drive in Manhattan. Also, NY state is a much longer state than I imagined. It's Midwestern-state-long.
This week should be a good one for getting into a routine. Anna has her first and only full week of school for a while. Anders should be settling into a routine. Anders goes back to the doctor on Wednesday morning. I bet he will weigh over 9 lbs then. Anders is doing really well healthwise, you wouldn't know anything had been wrong with him.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Anders The Terrible
They have a saying down here for a misbehaving child--"He's being hateful!" Anders is being hateful. He slept most of the evening with Anna last night on the couch. Last night, however, he did NOT sleep. I tried everything. Eventually, I gave up and let him cry. He let loose with more wailing and gnashing of gums at 3:30 as I mixed his medicine and changed his diaper. This morning he will not let me put him in his crib, thus he is fidgeting and farting on my chest and stomach respectively. Last night was the first evening of no answers for me. I was so tired by the end of it, that I do not know if he was crying or silent when I fell asleep.
Trudy walks around like a zombie. She is not getting as much sleep as she wants. She considers coming over to me, sees Anders, and walks the other way. I'm untouchable if Anders is around.
Anders' freakishly large hands are getting stronger and stronger. He likes to grab my neck. One of these days I think he's going to rip my larynx out. He is all sweetness and light for Anna, but I think he's trying to off me. Trudy knows what's going on. She sees things. Perhaps I will request Trudy to be in my lap for the Christmas card picture after all.
I hope that this phase will be over Saturday when I return from NYC. I don't mind that he's trying to kill me, I suppose that's just nature, but he needs to be willing to sleep for longer periods in his crib.
Trudy walks around like a zombie. She is not getting as much sleep as she wants. She considers coming over to me, sees Anders, and walks the other way. I'm untouchable if Anders is around.
Anders' freakishly large hands are getting stronger and stronger. He likes to grab my neck. One of these days I think he's going to rip my larynx out. He is all sweetness and light for Anna, but I think he's trying to off me. Trudy knows what's going on. She sees things. Perhaps I will request Trudy to be in my lap for the Christmas card picture after all.
I hope that this phase will be over Saturday when I return from NYC. I don't mind that he's trying to kill me, I suppose that's just nature, but he needs to be willing to sleep for longer periods in his crib.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Anders at Home
Anders needs to sleep more. He's pretty good about sleeping at night. The intervals are getting longer. Yet, during the day, not so much. I think he's so happy to be out of the joint that he's just taking everything in. We took him on a long stroller ride, his first, today among the Athens West Side Weirdos. We smiled and said hi to a couple, they responded by staring at us wordlessly. We saw a house not too far from our own where the garage is used as a closet, and not a closet for tie dye product like next door. Also, some bicyclist bellowed "on your left" as though he was careening out of control (on the flat bike path?!) waking up Anders. Anders was a trooper through it all, even when the sun was in his eyes and the south wind was in his face. He must have a little "People of the South Wind in him." I'm starting to think he has more of his mother's personality at this point. He's really quite mellow and well behaved most of the time, but he can go from zero to livid in a blink.
Our dish washer is broken and I broke our coffee pot as I was trying to clean it. We tried to get a particular new coffee pot that Walmart carries. I forgot about the shortages in Athens. I check for three straight days, no dice. I also forgot about the Soviet Bread Line length waits at the Athens Walmart. If anyone wanted to run a competent business down here, they could make a killing. All you would have to do is keep goods in stock and be polite rather than standoffish with your customers. It will not surprise Athens vets that Anna is currently in Lancaster getting us provisions for the week.
Anders is waking up and trying to peel himself off my chest, gotta go. Oh, Trudy loves Anders play pen!
Our dish washer is broken and I broke our coffee pot as I was trying to clean it. We tried to get a particular new coffee pot that Walmart carries. I forgot about the shortages in Athens. I check for three straight days, no dice. I also forgot about the Soviet Bread Line length waits at the Athens Walmart. If anyone wanted to run a competent business down here, they could make a killing. All you would have to do is keep goods in stock and be polite rather than standoffish with your customers. It will not surprise Athens vets that Anna is currently in Lancaster getting us provisions for the week.
Anders is waking up and trying to peel himself off my chest, gotta go. Oh, Trudy loves Anders play pen!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Indiana Wants Me
Lord, I won't go back there.
Indiana went off The List almost a year to the day by going for Obama (the first time it went Dem since LBJ). Well, Indiana is back on the list! Before I paint too broadly, Bloomington is enchanting, Jeffersonville provides some picturesque dining options, and I have heard good things about Indianapolis (although one must wonder whether a city is major if a football stadium is part of its skyline).
Okay, so just past the exit to the Steve Alford Shrine and before you get to OH there is Exit 131. Did you ever ponder the metaphysics of what happens to a year once it ends and a new year begins? Well, 1987 is enjoying its retirement at Exit 131. The truck stop had that fake brick hard plastic floor that came standard in all 80s truck stops. It had a big section of state maps. I loved this feature, but let's be honest, the paper map is going the way of the newspaper delivery boy. Most importantly for the comfort of 1987, there was smoking EVERYWHERE. The ladies restroom stalls had ash trays. There was an ashtray for every 2 urinals. And the new addition to the old truck stop had a wide open doorinterior door between the part, making it as smokey as the 1987 part. I felt like burying an AL West Champions Homer Hankie on site.
Needless, to say we ate our Kentucky Fried Chicken in the car (they didn't abbreviate away the "fried" in the 80s). We didn't ever consider taking Anders in there. I think bringing someone who was not alive when smoking was pervasive into that time warp would cause a disruption in the space-time continuum.
Anders ate a little better on the road today than yesterday. Tonight, however, when he came home to a place he'd never been before he took 125 mils! That is a new record.
We had a perfect day for driving, not a cloud in the sky. There are still leaves on the trees down here! A couple of our hanging plants are still alive (the ones Brad picked out on Mom's Weekend).
Some parts of the house seem suspended in time, like the calendars. Marilee would not approve.
The house, however, is cleaner and better than when we left in July, thanks so much to our friends Bill and Anna for an amazing job house sitting! And thanks to Renee for coming all the way from Fairfax, VA to add her touches to our homecoming.
Trudy is taking Anders in stride for the moment. She sniffed his head a bit and they slept near each other on Anna as you saw in that picture. It will be interesting to see what Trudy does when Anders doesn't go away in a couple of days.
Greg also did a great job taking our stuff out here with us. I think his payment was getting to glimpse at Anders during our stops. He absent-mindedly says "Oh Buddy!" over and over again. Greg did not enjoy driving as much as Anders enjoyed riding. Fortunately, Greg is flying back to MSP tomorrow afternoon. Then he and Grandma Dorene are coming back here next Wednesday. I am presenting a paper at a conference in NYC next week, thus the need for days of babysitting.
We haven't really unpacked and I don't know where much stuff is, but it is good to be home. We have an appointment with Anders' new doctor in Athens tomorrow at 9 am sharp. Anna and Anders and Greg are sleeping. Trudy is wandering around. I'm listening to "Beds Are Burning" by Midnight Oil and about to turn in for a bit myself. I say a bit because of course Anders uses all 24 of his hours.
Thanks again to everyone for everything along the way. This process has been so much easier with all of your assistance.
PS. This piece should never be used as a template for using the English language. Sleep deprivation is no laughing matter for one's coherence. Anna and I now communicate with a lot of pointing and guessing. Being together for almost 10 years comes in handy now as our language skills are lost to Anders Time.
Indiana went off The List almost a year to the day by going for Obama (the first time it went Dem since LBJ). Well, Indiana is back on the list! Before I paint too broadly, Bloomington is enchanting, Jeffersonville provides some picturesque dining options, and I have heard good things about Indianapolis (although one must wonder whether a city is major if a football stadium is part of its skyline).
Okay, so just past the exit to the Steve Alford Shrine and before you get to OH there is Exit 131. Did you ever ponder the metaphysics of what happens to a year once it ends and a new year begins? Well, 1987 is enjoying its retirement at Exit 131. The truck stop had that fake brick hard plastic floor that came standard in all 80s truck stops. It had a big section of state maps. I loved this feature, but let's be honest, the paper map is going the way of the newspaper delivery boy. Most importantly for the comfort of 1987, there was smoking EVERYWHERE. The ladies restroom stalls had ash trays. There was an ashtray for every 2 urinals. And the new addition to the old truck stop had a wide open doorinterior door between the part, making it as smokey as the 1987 part. I felt like burying an AL West Champions Homer Hankie on site.
Needless, to say we ate our Kentucky Fried Chicken in the car (they didn't abbreviate away the "fried" in the 80s). We didn't ever consider taking Anders in there. I think bringing someone who was not alive when smoking was pervasive into that time warp would cause a disruption in the space-time continuum.
Anders ate a little better on the road today than yesterday. Tonight, however, when he came home to a place he'd never been before he took 125 mils! That is a new record.
We had a perfect day for driving, not a cloud in the sky. There are still leaves on the trees down here! A couple of our hanging plants are still alive (the ones Brad picked out on Mom's Weekend).
Some parts of the house seem suspended in time, like the calendars. Marilee would not approve.
The house, however, is cleaner and better than when we left in July, thanks so much to our friends Bill and Anna for an amazing job house sitting! And thanks to Renee for coming all the way from Fairfax, VA to add her touches to our homecoming.
Trudy is taking Anders in stride for the moment. She sniffed his head a bit and they slept near each other on Anna as you saw in that picture. It will be interesting to see what Trudy does when Anders doesn't go away in a couple of days.
Greg also did a great job taking our stuff out here with us. I think his payment was getting to glimpse at Anders during our stops. He absent-mindedly says "Oh Buddy!" over and over again. Greg did not enjoy driving as much as Anders enjoyed riding. Fortunately, Greg is flying back to MSP tomorrow afternoon. Then he and Grandma Dorene are coming back here next Wednesday. I am presenting a paper at a conference in NYC next week, thus the need for days of babysitting.
We haven't really unpacked and I don't know where much stuff is, but it is good to be home. We have an appointment with Anders' new doctor in Athens tomorrow at 9 am sharp. Anna and Anders and Greg are sleeping. Trudy is wandering around. I'm listening to "Beds Are Burning" by Midnight Oil and about to turn in for a bit myself. I say a bit because of course Anders uses all 24 of his hours.
Thanks again to everyone for everything along the way. This process has been so much easier with all of your assistance.
PS. This piece should never be used as a template for using the English language. Sleep deprivation is no laughing matter for one's coherence. Anna and I now communicate with a lot of pointing and guessing. Being together for almost 10 years comes in handy now as our language skills are lost to Anders Time.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Normal,IL
We went back to Southdale to get Anders' additional sodium and have him weighed. Anna and I shared the irrational fear that had he not gained weight, they would take him back. Good news for us, he is up to 8lbs 3oz!
Anders loves riding in the car. He's not wild about the car seat proper since it inhibits his ability to turn left. As previously mentioned, Anders is not an amby turner.
We stopped West of Menominee to feed Anders. Then we stopped in Mauston for a stretch break. Then we stopped at Sun Prairie where we visited the Seeleys (both of them, as Jessica made a surprise appearance). We also got Culverized and stopped a Kwik Trip before heading to the Land of Lincoln. We again stopped to feed Anders south of Rockford. He has been good on the ride, but his feedings have tailed off as the day wore on. The nurses said this would happen, but we still wish he would pig out at some point.
This is our last night living out of a suitcase and boy are we glad it's almost over. I hope we will be back in Athens by suppertime.
Anders loves riding in the car. He's not wild about the car seat proper since it inhibits his ability to turn left. As previously mentioned, Anders is not an amby turner.
We stopped West of Menominee to feed Anders. Then we stopped in Mauston for a stretch break. Then we stopped at Sun Prairie where we visited the Seeleys (both of them, as Jessica made a surprise appearance). We also got Culverized and stopped a Kwik Trip before heading to the Land of Lincoln. We again stopped to feed Anders south of Rockford. He has been good on the ride, but his feedings have tailed off as the day wore on. The nurses said this would happen, but we still wish he would pig out at some point.
This is our last night living out of a suitcase and boy are we glad it's almost over. I hope we will be back in Athens by suppertime.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Ready to Road Trip
We are finally leaving MN after 108 straight days in MN for Anna. I have gone back hit all my other homes during this period: Athens, Marquette, and Decorah. I've spent the night at Fairview Riverside, 4oth St. Minneapolis, 9 West Hills Drive, 6400 Timber Ridge in Edina, 121 N. Lincoln in Marquette, Neste Farm, 284th St. NW in Zimmerman, Fairview Southdale.
Anna, however, has not left Anders' side for one night these past 100 days. What amazing devotion.
It's been a long haul. Much has happened. Much has changed. Anders is starting to feel like he's really ours.
We are excited to see Mr. Dan Seeley tomorrow. We are excited to put some miles behind us as well. We are excited to see Ms. Trudy Goodshoes again. We are excited to settle into home.
I will still update this blog, but probably not as frequently as when Anders was in the hospital. I had a lot more time for blogging when we only saw Anders for 5 hours a day rather than 24 hours. He, unfortunately, uses all his hours.
I'm sure I will be repeating all the shop worn, hackneyed cliches new parents spout about lacking sleep in short order on this web log.
I really miss Marilee at a time like this. She and Anders would have gotten along smashingly.
Thanks to everyone for all that you have done and will do for us during this trying time.
All the Best and Kyrie Eleieson.
Jon (Father of Anders) Peterson
PS. And just think of all that Brett Favre has done in the last 100 days!
Anna, however, has not left Anders' side for one night these past 100 days. What amazing devotion.
It's been a long haul. Much has happened. Much has changed. Anders is starting to feel like he's really ours.
We are excited to see Mr. Dan Seeley tomorrow. We are excited to put some miles behind us as well. We are excited to see Ms. Trudy Goodshoes again. We are excited to settle into home.
I will still update this blog, but probably not as frequently as when Anders was in the hospital. I had a lot more time for blogging when we only saw Anders for 5 hours a day rather than 24 hours. He, unfortunately, uses all his hours.
I'm sure I will be repeating all the shop worn, hackneyed cliches new parents spout about lacking sleep in short order on this web log.
I really miss Marilee at a time like this. She and Anders would have gotten along smashingly.
Thanks to everyone for all that you have done and will do for us during this trying time.
All the Best and Kyrie Eleieson.
Jon (Father of Anders) Peterson
PS. And just think of all that Brett Favre has done in the last 100 days!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)