Reading Books

With one of Heidi's grandmother's being a retired reading teacher, and another grandmother a teacher, I knew we had to start the good habit of reading books at an early age. Heidi enjoys looking at the pictures, and trying to eat the corners. But good habits started young are harder to break. And it is great for her brain development. I could, but won't, quote lots of research articles which describe how children who are read to have a better understanding of language and a larger vocabulary, or do better in school. Instead, I'll leave you with a picture. Look at that concentration.

Heidi and Mimi reading a book.

Thanks for the entertainment Mimi!

Unexpectedly stressful Day

The day started out with a phone call to my sister. She had been on nights at the hospital, so early morning was a time I thought I could catch her on the phone. I explained that Heidi had gone almost 4 days without a bowel movement, and she encouraged me to call the pediatrician. I'm thankful I listened to her, as Heidi became more and more uncomfortable as the day progressed. The pediatrician said that breast-milk babies typically have a bowel movement between 5 times a day to once every 5 days. But since every 4 days was not typical for Heidi, she didn't feel good, and he suggested a glycerin suppository and apple juice. Therefore, Heidi received her first taste of juice! She sucked down 2 ounces faster than I expected. The suppository took 2 hours before we saw the effects. She filled up a diaper, but that is manageable. Oh, but I did put a disposable diaper on her to make things easier!

And my other big event, is that for a while now, I've been thinking that Skipper hasn't been doing well. Nothing that I could put my finger on, as he was still eating normally, and became excited for walks or the park. But he was lagging near the end of walks. And seemed to sleep in one spot on the couch more frequently. So I packed up Heidi, Skipper, Sophie, and myself for a trip to the vet. Not good news, which did not come as a surprise as we had a heart x-ray back in December. Skipper's heart is beating too fast, and his blood pressure is super high. An EKG showed irregular beats. He started on medication to make his heart beat slower but stronger, and to reduce his blood pressure. We have to go back in a week to make sure the kidneys aren't negatively affected by the medicine. I'm hopeful this will work. At the same time, I need to be realistic and acknowledge that this is pretty serious. Boo. I'll be giving Skipper some extra cuddles and treats.

Side note, Sophie went because I needed the vet techs to cut her nails. She cries and squeals and screams, and it isn't worth the stress of Kelby and myself trying. Instead, I let them hold her as she cried, squealed, and screamed. Through the door, I could her them telling her it was okay, but she wasn't believing them!

And since too many words without pictures tends to bore people, here are a few pictures.

Heidi entertained by Sophie.

4th of July, my birthday, Heidi's 1st parade, 2 freaked out dogs.

Fudgie Pops

I enjoy "reading" cookbooks. I read recipes/looked at pictures in a cookbook called Taste of Home, Kid Approved Cookbook by Readers Digest. In it I found a couple good-sounding recipes, and knew I had to try the Fudgie Pops. I made them yesterday, and they are delicious!!!! I always prefer to cook and bake myself, rather than buying processed foods, and this was a perfect recipe. I avoided some of the more tedious aspects of the recipe for simplicity sake, decreased sugar slightly, and reduced the sodium amounts.

Fudgie Pops

Fudgie Pops
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
4 cups milk
1 1/3 cups brown sugar
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
molds to use in the freezer

In large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add milk. Stir in brown sugar, cocoa and salt. Bring to a boil, cook and continually stir for 2-3 minutes, or until thickened.

Remove from heat, stir in vanilla. Pour into molds (or small plastic containers for when you run out). Freeze until firm. I just had to eat one while I wrote this out. Now I have to restrain myself from eating a couple more.

Will I ever see play as play and not therapy?

My job (or I should say my previous job) was working with little children with delays and disabilities. I taught the parents how to help their child in all areas of development, with behavior, and feeding. We did lots of problem solving, and many techniques were through trial-and-error. I did develop a tool box of tricks, and proven techniques.

Now that I have a child of my own, not a moment goes by where I don't think about what developmental skills we could be working on. Or which moment or skill reminds me of a previous client. This sure puts my brain on overload. I have been improving my self-talk, that it is okay to sit back and enjoy this time with Heidi and she will learn skills on her own. I have no developmental concerns at this point, and if some arise, I am equipped to figure them out, know what resources are out there, which friends to call, and I can help treat her if needed.

I am making an effort to see play as play time. We still have times where we work on developmentally appropriate skills for a 3 month old, such as tummy time, listening to stories and looking at pictures, holding toys, listening to music, and talking to each other. But I am purposely not counting minutes or repetitions per day on certain activities. The TV is on in the background at times (shocking!).

But she does have a preference for only rolling over her left shoulder, so we practice the right side as well. :) I can't give up all my training. I do take notice when she learns a new skill, such as bringing her hands together in mid-line on her back. Or holding a small toy in each hand. Or imitating facial gestures. Or when she makes a new sound. It will always be like this. But I do resist from doing developmental tests on her.


Picture time.

While we were in Boston for my sister's wedding, we took Heidi on her first subway ride. How's that for giving her new experiences and stimulating her senses?!

Laura and Heidi, Boston subway

 First time Heidi reached up to hold onto a toy without it being placed in her hand. She was confused, as she couldn't figure out how to let go.

Heidi holding onto a toy

At Daddy's graduation ceremony. We never expected to have a young daughter in this picture, but it was a wonderful experience.

Kelby's graduation ceremony