IKEA

We spent Easter Sunday at IKEA because it was supposed to rain that day and everyone did their Easter Barbecue on Saturday (that and we had a $20 off coupon good only that Sunday). Spent 3 hours wandering the store, getting ideas for the new apt and picking up a few knick knacks.. by the time we got to the check out line, though, Obie had developed quite an appetite. We weren't going to breastfeed him there as the lines were horrendous and slow moving.. too many wandering eyes and no real way to be modest while standing.. so we bottle fed him while he was in his car seat.. then the most hilarious thing happened! Obie grabbed his bottle and held it all on his own.. I was lucky enough to snag a photo of it too.. check it out!

-Benj

Geez..

Well last Wednesday we had to take little Obie to the doctor again because he had had a little fever for a day or two and then it spiked to 103.. so off to Dr. Morrill we go.. turns out he had an ear infection that the doc speculated caused the fever.. now Obie has to take that nasty, chalky, pink stuff I remember hating as a kid. And yes, he hates it too.. Then I came home today and my wife is pretty sick and the boyo has a rash.. still can't figure out what it is, but I better do so quick.. the doc is on vacation and Obie is NOT happy. Any ideas out there?

-Benj


UPDATE: Turns out its an allergic reaction to penicillin.

the way of insomnia and breastfeeding

Ear infections are messy, mean, evil things that certainly deprive mothers of sleep.
Or in the very least, this mother. It's become nearly old hat to have Obie wake up at about 2am ready to start to play; only to be let down that the lights will not come on, and that Daddy definitely won't wake up. So I'm usually awake from 2-4 trying to get the lil guy back to sleep. By the time that's happened, I've woken up enough to where I can't get back to sleep. People wonder why I'm cranky on occasion... okay, mostly Ben wonders.
Early on in my pregnancy, I made this strange promise to myself that Obie would be breastfed with the best possible nutrition and care. When Obie was born we found out that he regretfully did not want the same. Six days later my milk came in. Six days of trying to get him to nurse which only resulted in heartache, tearful exasperation, and screaming on his part. Now, I hate it. I really do. If being alone in the house with an infant all day isn't your cup of tea, being chained to him all night with your arm doing a chicken wing in order to keep him breathing really won't be enjoyable. I think my carpal tunnel is coming back in full force because of the only position for nursing whilst sleeping. That and it's pretty much hell on my shoulders. If anyone can let me know of a better position than tummy to tummy side-sleeping, I'll be greatly obliged.
Still looking for the camera battery charger, I fear it may be lost forever in the black hole that used to be our bedroom. Hopefully pictures sometime next week. Measurements at the Doc's: 13lbs 6oz on 3/12/08

Its Been a Long Few Weeks...

Obie started his teething and crying phases last week. Its enough to drive anyone up a wall. I do have to say, though, that Celeste is exhibiting great patience with the situations and I am proud of her. Obie has recently developed a taste for his own fist and I would assume it is because he is teething (and I use the term teething very loosely as nothing has broken the gums yet) and his teething ring is still too large for his mouth. The only downside to using his fist as a teether though is that he likes to flex his fingers while still in his mouth, effectively initiating his gag reflex. We also just bought the cloth diaper covers online. Found the best we could at the lowest price possible and now they have come in for a test run. So far they are everything everyone says they are and Obie is not suffering from what I like to call "Red-Raisin-Butt." Of course making the move to cloth diapers means more laundry and more frequent changings..

In recent news, my great grandmother passed away mid week (you can read the Obituary here)and I am a bit relieved that she did. She was tired and in no condition to be happy. I do regret not being able to introduce her to her ONLY Great-Great-Grandson, but as I mentioned before, I will do everything I can to inform Obie of his lineage and heritage. Thanks to Mr. Obie Etheridge, I can now start on a quarter of the tree! :D

- Benj