Shots

So, last week Tristan got his first round of immunizations. I thought I would be able to handle it because I survived when they had to draw blood from his heel (which, by the way, is harder on mom than on baby). Fortunately, we had a fabulous nurse that was able to give him four separate shots in about 8 seconds. Tristan liked the nurse but hated the shots! I made an effort not to watch the actual needle insert his little thigh, but I knew by the expression on his face what was happening. His bottom lip stuck out so far it broke my heart! It took some time for him to calm down, but he really did great. I'm glad Tristan can't understand me yet because I promised him we would never go back there again...and I lied. Overall, I was prepared, and we survived!

The aftermath is what I was not prepared for. T clearly wasn't feeling well at all, so I gave him some infant Tylenol. I think that helped for a little bit...or at least it made me feel like I was doing something to help the situation. Later that night when I was getting him ready for bed, I removed his adorable Taz band aids and he had little whelps where he had gotten the shots. I'm not sure why I thought it would be a good idea to touch it, but I did...not a good idea. The little guy let out a major scream, and again I am glad he can't remember some things.

The next few days were a little interesting. I felt like I was dealing with a different baby, and the only thing I had to blame it on was the immunizations. T didn't have much of an appetite at all. He was fussy and cranky which is very unusual for him. I gave him a little more Tylenol and put warm towels on his whelps, but frustration was beginning to overtake me. This is the point where it is really nice to have a great hubby who can put things in perspective. Kris' favorite phrase may be, "Honey, he cries because he is a baby..."

The Good News: Today (5 days post shots) I finally feel like T is back to normal. He woke up with a smile on his face, and it hasn't gone away yet! He is eating like a champ and seems very normal! I learned a valuable lesson this past week...Shots Stink!

Bumbo

The Bumbo chair is fascinating! For those of you who are not familiar with the Bumbo chair, prepare to be amazed (spoken like a true mother). This chair assists are little six week old in sitting on his own. A few weeks ago we started putting him in the chair to help him build his neck and back muscles and now we have a new favorite pass time. Tristan will be walking on his own soon...shortly followed by long division!

If you are wondering, yes, I tried to sit in the chair, and, no, I do not fit!

Irresistable

Tristan has made so many new friends so far. It is impossible to resist his cute face, so anyone who meets him, immediately falls in love.

Our puppies, Chloe and Bubba, have had interesting reactions to Tristan. Chloe, our lab, doesn't seem to notice the new baby around the house. She still wants to play ball all day long as if nothing has changed. Now Bubba, our Pomeranian, is a different story. We were afraid he wouldn't like the baby because he is territorial of Kris and me; however, that has not been the case. Bubba loves the new baby! Any chance he gets, he tries to give Tristan a kiss on the foot or hand. Plus, if Tristan is crying in the other room, Bubba will go to him and then come to me and cry himself...kind of like Lassie!

The Dirty Diaper

Ok, so at what point will the dirty diapers slow down? At any given point in the day, I can open Tristan's diaper and find it dirty. In fact, I am convinced that he hates clean diapers, and everytime I put one on him, he works extremely hard to get it dirty again. The books say to change the diaper anytime you suspect it to be dirty because it will help with potty training down the road. Well, if I change his diaper everytime I suspect anything, I will never leave the changing table!

I have read too many "helpful" books about how to raise a baby. I say "helpful" because they all contradict one another. For instance, I am trying to figure out the healthiest sleeping habits for Tristan, and I have read so many differing opinions. One book says to put them in their cribs no later than two weeks so they do not become dependant on sleeping in the same room as mom and dad. A different book says that putting a baby in their own room too early causes separation anxiety. A third book says that the family bed, letting the baby sleep in your bed, is the only way a baby will truly feel loved...Ok, I am a reasonable person, but really?!? I think I'm going to write a book on how reading the helpful books might not be so helpful.

Needless to say, when Kris told me to quit reading all the books and just do what works for us, that was the greatest advice I've gotten so far!

One month in...

On October 3, 2009, Kris and I welcomed Tristan into our family! We spent almost five full days in the hospital, and then much to our suprise, they let us take Tristan home with us! The three of us got in Kris' car and 1,000 thoughts ran through my head. I thought:

• Tristan is the most beautiful little boy I have ever seen.



• I can't wait to be home.
  


• Is Kris driving too fast?



• What was that noise Tristan just made?



• Tristan looks cute in his Red Raider hat.



• Will our dogs like him?



• Did I really just have a baby?



• I think I want to go back to the hospital.

...to name a few! It was a day of excitement and anxiety! On the first night out of the hospital, Kris was on duty. I'm not sure he slept a wink that night. Fortunately, we have been getting better at the night shifts! The following few weeks, we enlisted our parents and siblings to help out. Ten days in, we were finally on our own!

Somehow we have survived the first month which included our first bath, our first trip to the mall, our first dinner on the town, our first doctor's appt., our first Halloween, and even our first walk to the park. Here are a few things we have learned:

1. Everytime Kris changes a diaper, Tristan will pee on them both!



2. Never wake a sleeping little boy.



3. Babies make more dirtly laundry than I ever imagined.



4. Bubba (our Pomeranian) loves babies!



5. Sleep is overrated.



6. Enjoy every day because he is already growing so quickly!