Lesson In Parenting

Disclaimer
The stories contained on this blog may or may not be actual stories from our lives. They very well may be fictional accounts. I have a creative mind. They could be fictional parenting or life stories or true stories to help readers of this blog. I can not confirm or deny the accuracy contained in each post. Take the information contained here and laugh a little, shake your head a little and ask yourself if he is serious. I will deny that any of these accounts were actually from our lives.

Lessons In Parenting

Everyday is a learning experience in being a parent and hopefully it makes you a better parent if you survive. Today was no exception.

It is Flowertown Festival weekend in Summerville and LA and her mother have a booth selling wreaths (shameless plug - if you would like to help Aubrey and Wyatt's college education or clothing fund then please by a wreath; Even if you don't need a wreath you could buy one to clutter up a friend or loved ones house - there a gift that keeps on giving). Today, LA came home to feed Wyatt and Aubrey was taking a nap. LA walked Wyatt in the stroller back to hang out at the booth to help spur some additional sales - everyone loves a baby. Nana's car was at our house and she needed it back at the church so she could go home later that day. When Aubrey woke up from her nap, I was going to drive Nana's car to the church and go spend some time with LA at the festival. So Aubrey woke up from her nap and we got ready and went out to Nana's car. I opened the back door and looked in and she didn't have her car seat in the car. So now what do I do? It's just a couple of blocks and lots of slow moving traffic. I decided that I will put her in the back seat, buckle her in with the seat belt and drive to the church. She thought she was a big girl and was super happy about not having to get in the car seat with all the belts. We proceed down Laurel St to Central Avenue and turned left into the bumper to bumper traffic. She was loving it. We made it to the church and were in the parking lot weaving our way through the parking lot and all of a sudden I heard the rear window going down and Aubrey leaning forward pressing the button. When I turned around she was smiling and giving me the "look what I did daddy" look. I quickly found the window lock and shook my head and laughed. Now, Aubrey is going to inspect everything, figure out how it works and not leave anything to the imagination. As we made it behind the gym, we were creeping along when all of a sudden I hear Aubrey saying "Uhhh, Uhhh, Uhhh" and being the great parent that I am realized this was a cry of something is wrong. I turn my head and say to myself "Holy Crap...this is a problem". Aubrey has opened the door and is leaning forward in the seat and is trying to shut the door while holding the door handle latch but the door was too heavy. She knows she has done something wrong but needs help to correct what she has done. I quickly stop the car and stretch as far as a could to try to shut the door before she falls out. I finally got the door shut and found the door lock button and averted the disaster. Good thing I was quick on my feet. I know your thinking what I was thinking - Nana's car is not safe - Child Safety Door Locks not enabled (She's been hauling grandkids around for years...she's lucky this didn't happen sooner); Automatic Door Locks - Don't all cars have this annoying feature (I'll be honest, not so annoying now) when you put the car in drive the doors automatically lock and unlock when you put the car in park? Guess she cheeped out and didn't get that feature.

I should have just put her in the front seat so I could have controlled her better and I would have adverted this little adventure.

So "It's just a couple of blocks" turned into quite an adventure. Didn't think all that would happen in a couple of blocks to the church. It is quite a funny story now that a major disaster was avoided but it was close. I learned quite a few lessons in the "couple of blocks". Now that I have that episode behind me and I am experienced, I am available to babysit anyone kids or drive them a couple of blocks in the car.

To summarize the lessons learned:
Nana's car (Ford Expedition) was dangerous for grandchildren to ride it.
Aubrey is curious.
There is always the potential for funny story when kids are involved.



PS - I told LA. Of course the story began with "You not going to believe this...." She actually laughed and told me she probably would have done the same thing. Good to know we have the same parenting logic. I knew we were a perfect match!!!

Social Security Administration

If you read the other blog about the frustration with the process of getting a Social Security Card for Aubrey since somehow we missed allowing the hospital do it for us or they elected to not do it for us. For the new readers - it took until March 2009 to just get a number and we didn't get an actual card until a few months back. I was sure one thing was not happening before we left the hospital - we were not leaving until I had confirmation that they were going to file for his SSC. I wasn't going back to the local office five times to deal with the bureaucracy. We checked the box and less than two weeks after his birth we had his SSC. I am glad the process worked this time because I probably would have been in the hospital or behind the steel gray bars, if I would have had to endure that process again.

Two Weeks +

So what's been going on for the past two weeks:

On the 11th Wyatt had his circumcision done by Dr. Traynham at his office. The doctor on call at SMC when he was born didn't do them and that's not something you want done on your son your without seeing their credentials - were not talking about getting a haircut, where you might let the apprentice give it a shot knowing your hair will eventually go back. I will go on record and say that anyone who has a boy and didn't warn LA and I about this process fully we are mad at you and have noted this oversight. I will also be telling everyone about it because they need to know. It was like some secret code that parents couldn't talk about with parents who just had a baby boy - just go experience it for yourself. I don't want my friends to not know the whole story. The doctor almost let LA and I leave his office without showing his handy work to us which would have been a bad thing. LA and I would have gotten home, taken off his diaper and immediately loaded back up in the car and taken him right back to the doctor to get some explaining for what was going on down there. He showed us, we said nothing, nodded our heads and walked out the door and looked at each other and said "We are bad parents, for letting him hurt Wyatt". Five minutes after it was done, Wyatt didn't care but we did. Wow, that hurt and it wasn't even done to me. It hurt me to walk. So for the next 7 days we used more Vaseline and gauze than we should have but we didn't want anybody saying "this happened because you didn't use enough". After about 5 days it was bearable to look at again and after 7 it had healed up nicely. The doctor said just when you getting used to the process, it's time to stop. We survived and we are glad that is over. If you are having a boy and want the real story and I haven't already told you or if the book - Surviving Pregnancy I am co-authoring with Greg hasn't been printed, please ask me or LA. You will thank yourself - your other friends will only tell you "It will be OK. It's not a big deal." We will tell you what you NEED to hear not what you WANT to hear.

It really is amazing how much stuff you forget in 18 months. The diapers Wyatt started out wearing were like postage stamps compared to Aubrey's. Forgot about the four hour cycle - 1 hour to feed, 1 hour getting ready for the next feeding, 2 hours to get whatever you need done and repeat 6 times per day. LA is taking the brunt of the schedule but I am living it with her. It is amazing how little you can get done in a day because of the schedule. We were on easy street with Aubrey - feed three times per day and sleep 12 hours. I wouldn't say we are in survival mode yet but I think we both are looking forward to the 2/3 month mark when he will hopefully sleep through the night. By then we might be in survival mode.

Wyatt is a little spoiled. He can be fussy while sleeping or just hanging out by himself. You can skip the fussy part by holding him close to you or letting him sleep on your chest. If he can hear your heartbeat, he is lights out. If you move him, undress him or mess with him and he is going to let you know about it. A couple (probably most nights) of nights, we have broken every rule as a parent allowing Wyatt to sleep on our chest in the bed with us. At some point, the value of the sleep is greater than any spoiling that might occur allowing him to sleep with you.

Aubrey has adjusted very well. She is even a helper for mommy and daddy. She has her moments where she want's to poke his eye out, pick his nose, fish hook him, or pat his head a little hard but overall for her being 18 months it has been good. A friend told us the other day that with them this close if you can survive the first year it is all good from that point forward because they will be close enough in age to play together and not to far behind developmentally. Who's counting - 345 days to go.

Aubrey is learning to jump and it is without a doubt the funniest thing we have ever seen. I am trying to video tape it but she doesn't work very well with the camera. She also has been in the yard trying to kick pine cones and that is funny because she doesn't actually kick the pine cone but stomps it.

PS - I am glad we live in the Town because we have trash service and in the two weeks since Wyatt arrived, we are going through diapers and wipes like nobody's business. I am considering a 55 gallon drum in Wyatt's room to collect all the waste from Aubrey and him. I know you're thinking overkill but you haven't been to my house.

Back Track

March 24th

I wanted to take a few minutes to go back to March 5th - Delivery Day. Even though we only had about 14 hours to get our ducks in a row, we got it all done - we sent Aubrey off to Nana's and LA and I went out for a quick meal out together. As Aubrey left LA and I looked at each other and we both said "Last time we will be three". We got everything done and made it to the hospital at 6:00am (probably only got a couple of hours of sleep) and got checked in which was painless and the fun began. Mommy got the chariot ride and I got to tag along with all the bags - at this point everything is feeling very familiar to 18 months ago.

When we got to the room a few things were different. They added a rocking chair, replaced the 13" tube TV with a 15" flat screen and had wireless internet. WOW! Eighteen months and they had made some much needed improvements. I am sure it was added to the bill. With all the improvements, I was beginning to think that this was going to be a better experience for me than when Aubrey was born. However, I was quickly reminded that this was about LA and not me. Funny how it took two of us to get to this point and two us together for 39 weeks and 5 days but when you walk into the hospital it's all about her. LA was thirsty and they had been bringing her something to drink and needed something else so when the nurse was going to get her something I asked her for a ginger ale and you would have thought that I had asked for the most expensive bottle of champagne. She stopped at the door and turned around and looked back at me - you know the look "I am not your waiter". That's when I replied "Yes, the ginger ale is for me and I am here to be pampered." The husband evidently doesn't qualify for a drink and should be getting his drinks out of the vending machine. Honestly , just put it on my tab.

I'll skip the blow by blow details on the birth process but I let you know that LA almost had the baby on the floor. She was getting her epidural and was turning to get her legs back in the bed and said the words that will get any husbands attention - "the baby is coming out"! That gets your attention - All parties to their duty station. The nurse checked her and confirmed that the head was just about to come out - get the cart, call the doctor, don't touch the stuff on the blue table. LA announced again that "the baby is coming out" and I was like come on people. I promise you that if a pregnant lady ever says "the baby is coming out" unexpectedly, you are going to freak out and want to do something even if you don't know what to do - if you are at the hospital, in a cab or at the house. After that announcement, it wasn't much longer before Corey Wyatt was born. So back to the epidural, pretty much a complete waste of our money. LA had trooped through about 95% of the birthing process. I'll go ahead and admit that I am a little girl and would have called for the epidural much earlier. She was a trooper and I love her for it.

So while the hospital experience was better (see my earlier post about the chair bed) than the first experience - internet access really is beneficial while you are just sitting in the chair waiting for the excitement to begin. I am not saying it was great but they still have a lot of room for improvement in care of the husband. I will be submitting my suggestions to the hospital CEO.

Tale Of The Tape

March 23, 2010
Weigh-In

So we had both Aubrey and Wyatt's doctor appointment yesterday. Daddy was in charge of setting up the appointments. We arrived a few minutes late which was pretty good since we overslept and the traffic was bad on the Glen McConnell. LA went in to sign us in start the paper work and I was getting Aubrey's shoes and socks back on. She likes to take her shoes and socks off while we are riding. When I walked in the door, I was greeted with the look (you know the look - the way to go genius look) by LA telling me "the appointments were yesterday". OPPS!!! I had the time right just got the days messed up. What about the appointment reminder call. OPPS!!! Don't need to listen to that voice mail. I know when the appointments are - Tuesday 8:45am. OPPS!!! So I did all that I could - said I'm sorry and removed myself from appointment duty. It's mommy's job going forward. Dr. Traynham was cool and agreed to work us in. We had to wait a little bit longer than normal but it was better than rescheduling and Aubrey was in a good mood and entertained us.

This was Aubrey's 18 month appointment and Wyatt's two week appointment. The tale of the tape is as follows:

Fighting out of the pink corner weighing in at 28.5lbs (90th), 33 inches tall (90th) with a 18.5 inch head (75th).

Fighting out of the blue corner weighting in at 9lbs 6oz (60th), 22.25 inches tall (90th) with a 14.75 inch head (50th).

We are going to have to handicap the fight at this point. Wyatt doesn't stand a chance. Aubrey can beat him with her index finger.

Everybody was healthy and no problems to report.

6th Month Doctor's Appointment

Aubrey had her 6th month check-up today. Ok, you figured it out she is actually 6th months 10 days. We had to reschedule because I was out of town last week. Here is the tale of the tape (increase from 4 month appointment):

Length: 27" (+1.25") - 90th Percentile
Weight: 18lbs 7oz (+3lbs 12oz) - 95th Percentile
Head: 16.75" (+1.75") - 50th Percentile

So what does all that mean. We figured out where she got her chunky legs and arms - 3lbs 12oz went on the 1.25" of length. What it really means is that We have a very healthy girl who is in the 50th percentile for a 9 month old. The doctor is pleased with her progress and doesn't see any problems - keep up the good work.

She got another round of shots which are getting a little harder to administer. You now have to hold her arms and legs. As soon as the nurse leaves, we pick her up and tell her that "mean ol' nurse hurt you".

Crawling

She is trying. I'll give her an "A" for effort but she hasn't figured the crawling thing out yet. She only goes backward right now but can spin around and roll over to get somewhere. However, it is not usually where she wanted to go. The other obstacle for her is the hardwood floors. She is going to need some no slip grips on her hands, knees and feet, if she is planning to get around on our floors

March 9th - Day 4

It's hard to believe that we are already on day 4. You know the old saying "Time flies buy when your having fun". It probably could change to "time flies by when you only get to sleep 2 hours at a time" - and this applies to LA more than me.

It is really is amazing all the things we have forgotten about having a new born. It almost like starting over which we probably could make the case for since we have a different model this time. I am not sure how many times we have heard it but numerous parents have told us "changing a boy is much easier than changing a girl". We are not in agreement. Aubrey did not have anything pointing at us and prepared to fire when we took her diaper off. So far, we have avoided get soaked. However, Wyatt hasn't fared quite as well. I was cleaning up the backside and had his legs pulled up and LA walked in and asked what was on his face. Opps, he misfired and shot himself. Hey, better him than me. The same thing happened another time while changing him. He hasn't got that thing calibrated yet but my theory is that if he shoots himself in the face a few more times he will make the connection and stop peeing with his diapers off. One part of his body that is functioning is his kidneys. He can fill up one of those new born diapers to the point that it soaks through. He gets to change clothes about 5 times each day. Do they make overnight diapers for newborns? He needs them on all the time.

A couple of shout outs:

1st Non Family Members To Visit At Home: Danny and Jenn Wright

1st Providence Class members To Visit At Home: Danny and Jenn Wright

1st Person To Visit And Get A Clean T-Shirt From KC's Closet: Danny Wright

So Danny and Jenn came and visited us last night. It was great to see them and we enjoyed hanging out with them since they had been out of town over the weekend. However, our children haven't missed an opportunity to make a mark on them, yet they still love them and still want to hang out with us. Aubrey got Jenn and Wyatt got Danny last night. We are going to purchase a couple of rain suits for them when they visit and hold our children. Sorry! I guess we should have warned them about Wyatt - he came in the world peeing (while being weighed) and is keeping it going. Guess we better double check how we are putting his diapers on and change more frequently.

If you are looking for boy's names check out the end of yesterdays post on I'm Just Saying that my friend Greg writes. He also just finished his first book on me which is humbling. I am waiting on my check from the first publication run. We are also co-writing a book for dads during pregnancy. A kind of survival guide for men.

Another item for the book: When in the mist of contractions, it might not be a good time to ask your wife if she is ready to have another one. Not only didn't LA laugh but the nurse and anesthesiologist chastised me for saying it. The delivery room is a tough crowd. If you are a comedian and can make those people laugh you are going to make it.

PS - Don't let Danny getting a little wet scare you away from visiting. Bring an extra change of clothes or LA and I have got plenty of t-shirts.

March 8 - What's His Name?

Just to clarify. His name is Corey Wyatt Carter. We are calling him Wyatt. Yes, we realize that everyone will call him Corey on the first day of school and hundreds other times but we are trusting that he will be confident enough to overcome. My father's first name is William but goes by Aubrey, his middle name. He survived and we think Wyatt will also.

PS - It's not like were calling him Sue like in the Johnny Cash song. If that was the case, he would need to learn to kick some @$$ pretty quickly.

March 8 - Doctor Follow Up

Went and saw Dr. Traynham this morning and all is good with Wyatt. He weight in at 8lbs 14oz. Pretty good that he only lost 4oz so far. Still working on getting Wyatt committed to breast feeding. What's the matter with that boy? He is coming around be slowly. LA is very loving and patient with him. His circumcision will be next Tuesday. I hope he is tough. It hurts me to even think about it.

March 7 - No Place Like Home

I posted yesterday that we came home - 26 hours after delivery and 34 hours after arriving at the hospital. Dorothy was right when she said "there's no place like home". Honestly, I couldn't have survived another night on the chair bed and LA had enough of the 20 year old craftmatic adjustable bed. At the end of the day, we probably didn't get any additional sleep but the sleep we got was much better - our own bed. I will take my bed over a chair bed or any other bed even at a five star resort (that's how we roll when we travel...ha!ha!) The other reason, LA was getting meals brought to her three times a day and I just sat in the corner watching her eat. For the cost of the room, you would think the could feed a spouse but then again it is hospital food so maybe I will pass.

Everything is going good with Wyatt. We have some work to do with Aubrey. She is warming up to the idea but she's not completely on board yet. This morning(Sunday) was a little too much for her because we turned her world upside down and moved our rocking chair from her room to Wyatt's room. That's the chair we have read books in since she started wanting to read books in the morning. She flipped out when I tried to read books to her on her bed. She was sure that I was trying to put her back to sleep. I am sure she will be fine but it might take a little while.
***update***
This am (Monday) was much better. Working on our new reading book routine

I need to give a couple of shout outs from the weekend.

Visitor From The Farthest Away - Pops (LA's Dad) - From Chicago, IL (in on Sat afternoon and out on Sun early morning) - Thanks for the effort, love and support. You rock.

Meals Of The Weekend - It wasn't the hospital food. Philly's was close but there isn't anything better than roast beef and gravy, corn, string beans, mashed potatoes and homemade bread. Thanks, Grandma! (my mom) It was the bomb and we got to eat it at home. Nana (LA's mom) made spaghetti for us and it was good and I don't even like spaghetti (if she would leave out the onions and bell peppers it would be even better...ha!ha!) - the garlic bread was very good, also.

1st Person to See Wyatt (other than LA or KC) - Mrs. Eileen. She visited us in the morning and was waiting at the hospital to hear the news.

1st Sibling To Visit - A shocker - Waylon (It not shocking that Waylon came but that he was able to beat Wesley is impressive and noted here for the whole world to see). Thanks for coming to see us so soon after Wyatt was born. LA and I appreciated it.

1st Blogger To Visit - Jenn William from Courtyard. Check her blog out.

1st Non Family Members To Visit - Tim, Arlette, Madison and Dylan

All Time Best Babysitters - Grandma and Aube and Nana and Gramps - Even if Aubrey is rotten when we get her back they still are number 1 in our books.

March 6 - Morning Update

All was good through night. He has pretty much been asleep since yesterday - awake for a little while and then gives you the leave me alone cry and back to sleep. Mommy and Daddy got some sleep which was unexpected and enjoyed. Except for the perfect timing of the nurses that know just when you went to sleep and come in. He hasn't started eating regularly or really much at all at this point. He is content sleeping. The doctor and nurse are not concerned and attribute it to him being full off of amniotic fluid. Everyone is expecting the eating desire to pick up later today or tonight.

The doctor has given Wyatt a clean bill of health. We are now just waiting on his bilirubin score at 24 hours and for LA's doctors to clear her and we can stop the charges on the bill. Hopefully, we can be out of here by late afternoon or early evening and back to our house to get comfortable.

Something to add to Greg and my book:

*When the nurse tells you that the pull out chair bed (you don't find many of those around, LA and I are looking for a couple for the house) isn't much better than the floor go ahead and take the floor option. Hope they didn't pay a lot for the chair bed and I bet the genius that designed it never slept on it.

PS - We are already talking about number 3. This is easy. What is everybody talking about? We got this covered. :)

PSS - Nothing better than a Philly's cheesesteak for dinner last night after not eating all day.

March 5th, 2010

Corey Wyatt Carter

At 2:05pm LA gave birth to a 9lb, 21.5in baby boy. All are doing well healthy.

Full Report Pictures and Stories at 11pm

Doctors Appointment - March 4th

39 Weeks 1 Day

2.5cm dilated (almost 3cm), feet swelling (although I don't think the could swell anymore with out bursting - see the posts from the other blog about swelling with Aubrey) and blood pressure rising (but not out of control)

Doctor's recommendation: Induction

We are going to the hospital at 6:00am tomorrow to be induced. The baby is ready(although its head hasn't dropped) and LA is ready and for everyone's health they scheduled us for induction for tomorrow. The pattern was full for a different day and by going tomorrow we get to have our favorite doctor.

It was an interesting visit and a little different now knowing that we are definitely having a baby tomorrow. We both might have to take computers to the hospital and work while we wait for labor to begin.

Stay tuned for a post on the adventure that starts tomorrow at 6:00am.

COUNTDOWN

8 DAYS 13 HOURS 55 MINUTES TO DUE DATE
3 DAYS 5 HOURS UNTIL NEXT DOCTORS APPOINTMENT

Going On A Bear Hunt

Not exactly how I thought my Sunday morning was going to start - waking up at 5am to my daughter talking and crying (making noise) and being wide awake. Daddy caved in after trying to convince her she was sleepy and it would be best if she went back to sleep. She was wide awake and wanted to read a book. Her selection was "Were Going On A Bear Hunt" and that is what we did.

I am thinking we are going to Best Buy this week and get a TV and a DVD player for her so she can start watching cable and movies early in the morning before Daddy and Mommy want to get up. Seems like a good compromise for a couple of extra hours of sleep on Sat and Sun morning.