Identity Theft

Everything I write lately is about my little guy, so I guess it's obvious what my focus is and what my priorities are.  I waited a long, long time for this, but lately I am really missing *me*.  I feel selfish even saying it, but it's true.  

Hello.  My name is Randi, and I love my son, but I'm still me.

I've been struggling to balance life for a while...almost a year now.  It's not the first time this struggle has happened.  I was lucky enough to spend my first 16-17 years of life living in the same house, going to the same schools as my siblings, going to the same Ward at church, etc.  I was a Rodgers.  In fact, I was Bishop Rodgers' daughter.  I looked like a Rodgers...there is/was no denying that.  Everyone knew my parents. Everyone.  They had lived in their Maryvale home for several years before moving north to the Glendale Stake, so they knew people from all over the west valley.  I was the 5th of 6 kids...there was no room for my own identity, but it was a great life...and who needed an identity?  I had sisters to try and be just like, and friends to play with everyday.

At Kyle's funeral more people than not told me they weren't sure how to even address me.  Kyle and I had spent so much time together...were ALWAYS together and been together for so many years that everyone just knew US as kyleandrandi or randiandkyle.  There was no Kyle and Randi or even a Randi and Kyle.  We were never apart.  There was no reason for one to be without the other, so we kinda grew up attached...and everyone knew us together- not one or the other. 

At the time, I liked hearing it.  As the days (okay...months) passed, I remember being annoyed by it.  As the years passed...I remember feeling the need to overcome it and find my own identity.  I didn't want to be a "widow" or "Kyle's wife".  I wanted to be me.  Randi.  I wanted to stand on my own.  I wanted to win or lose (but really just win)...and it be on me.  I wanted to be able to date without being "Kyle's".  So...I moved to the east valley for a change of scenery....and to a place nobody knew me.  Or my dad.  Or my (late) husband.

I remember when I first starting spending A LOT of time with Mike...and then we started to "like" each other...and he's all I could think about.  I was going to to school full time and working WAY more than full time.  My boss called me in one day to find out why I had my head in the clouds and was struggling to keep up with my normal over-acheiver pace at work.  I had to sit and think about it. I was new to juggling a boyfriend AND a career...and full-time school.  I was used to first dates only.  Guys always said they would call, but very few ever called a second time.  I finally had an actual boyfriend...one I couldn't get out of my head.

Mike became my focus, but my career was still the leader of the pack...after Mike.  His career was his runner up too, so it worked out perfectly.  That's what we focused on- work and us...and then I did the school thing and Mike fished.  And slept. (lucky)

This was the basic continuum that was our life until we hit the wall that was infertility.  Then THAT became my/our focus.  I had long since graduated (thank goodness), but I definitely read more during our struggle with infertility than I ever did for school.  It's sad, but infertility almost becomes an obsession.  It's a constant thought...or worry.  Or stress.  Or nightmare.  And I've learned it doesn't go away...even after the birth of your first child.  It's still a constant thought...as "plans" are made for the future...infertility is always there.

That didn't really hinder the focus we both had on our careers.  Maybe the appointments did, but there was nothing else keeping our attention.  We did the married thing on the weekends, and we did the all-out career-fest during the week.  As far as I know, this worked for us...and we were both happy.  It was the best of both worlds.  And it let me have the independence I had learned to crave.  I loved when Mike went away to get his "fix"...and he allowed me my getaways too. It just worked, for us.

When I got pregnant, my ovaries became my focus.  And although Mike couldn't see them, I'm pretty sure they were his main focus too.  Obviously, Blip was our MAIN focus for those 10 months, but he was still just a thought, a dream maybe.  He didn't keep us up at night (at least not the way he did when he got here), he didn't require much of our attention, so we pressed on.  Being on bed rest was hard for me.  Missing so much work was depressing...and I missed it.  I couldn't wait to get back and get back to what I enjoyed doing.  But I was content to just be...as long as it meant Blip would cook properly.

Every thought I ever had changed in the moment that Blip arrived. He was immediately my first and last thought everyday.  He was my #1 - #594,910...with some Mike mixed in there somewhere after a few weeks.  After a few more weeks, my sisters and friends were then mixed back into my thought process.  I figured I could survive as long as I had my boy, his dad, and a few of my girls.

It took me weeks to even focus on getting myself dressed everyday, to get groceries, to pay bills, etc.  It literally took weeks for me to not cry at anything...really I cried at everything.  I honestly never "felt" like a hormonal roller-coaster until AFTER the baby was born...and then it was constant up and down.  I snapped out of it after a month or so, but it was hard.

Then I went back to work.  I didn't really want to be there when I had the world's cutest baby at home, but I knew I had responsibilities, so I got up and went everyday...even when I didn't want to.  I had no more paid time off, so in order to maintain the commitments we made, it was time to get back to real life.  

Work has been a challenge for me since I returned 9 months ago...for more than just my baby being at home without me.
I don't carry a case load anymore because I was asked by my boss to do a pet-project for the unit.  It's pretty much awful, but it's not nearly as stressful as carrying cases...and there is little to be called out for that is already MY responsibility.  So I do what was asked of me, and I help out where I am needed by my co-workers.  I have noticed some changes, and there are a few detectives that came to the unit while I was still out, so I have not worked a lot with them, but I have tried to brush stuff off and not be too sensitive.  

Anyway...the other day I got asked by my boss to help with something right before it was time for me to leave for the day, so I took care of it.  When I came back to the office with the surveillance video I picked up we were able to put a big case together with probable cause for arrest immediately.  We sent units to make the arrest and bring the suspect in to be interviewed.  Search warrants were going to need to be written and served...along with many other tasks that are lengthy and important to the investigation.

Well....it was a Tuesday, so I had to leave to pick up the baby. I can't even find a regular babysitter....let alone someone for random OT nights.  Plus- is it really fair to Blip to be shuffled around, or be put to bed somewhere strange?  And I would not have even gotten to see him if I had stayed and worked late.  All for an arrest and some overtime?  No....it's not fair to either of us.  I'm sure my day would be worthless without him.

Maybe "fair' isn't the right word.  But it seems to fit. 

I know I signed up for this, but it dawned on me that day as I was driving home that I no longer have a *career* that I love, that I wake up excited to go to, that I'm good at....I have a job. I no longer dream of what assignment I will do next, how long I will get to be a motor, when I will promote, when I will go back to the street and work 3rd shift again...those things seem ridiculous to dream about at this point in my life.  I may 1) never be able to chase them and 2) ...I may never want to.

That's the hardest part.  I may never want to. 

It's the truth.  A hard truth, but a truth all the same.

I cried the whole way home.  I left a good case and much needed overtime to go make copies of caterpillars for Blip's birthday party.  It was the first time I truly questioned where I was and who I have become.

Caterpillars?  

There were some serious tears shed.

I spent nearly a decade giving this career of mine 150%, so I definitely know what I'm missing now.  It's my choice to NOT become a motor.  It's my choice not to work the street for now.  It's my choice to be a mother.  It's my choice to choose my family over work.  It's just harder than I thought it would be to lose that part of me...or at least tuck it away for a time. I know I need to be home at night...not out chasing bad guys, getting in fights, wrestling drunks, etc.  I just miss it.  I miss all of it.

This IS worth it...that I know.  That I believe.  Seeing this little boy's face light up every afternoon when I pick him up is worth giving up ALL of my career for, if needs be.  This is just the first time I've really felt like I lost a part of me to become something more important to someone else.

I love my son, and I love my husband.  I just miss me. 

(add guilt here.) 

Some days are harder than others with us working opposite schedules.  There is very little time for either of us to have any of our "own" time.  And I think it's important for us to have that time, so I hope we can work on our babysitter challenges...and figure something out.  I also think we need a lot more time being married.  That will also work itself out as we figure out the babysitter issue.

It's interesting to me that in the beginning I never wanted to leave my baby.  Not for a second.  I would drag him anywhere with me...and we would figure out how to figure it out.  NOW...I just want a few minutes to myself.  AFTER he's asleep is when that time comes...which means to get a moment alone I lose sleep.

This is what the balance is all about.

It's interesting to look back over my life and pick out how I found who I was during each phase...You'd think once you did it...it would be done and you'd know.  But as life changes, and each person grows...I guess it's only normal to find one's new identity at each crossroad.

Practice Makes Perfect

Tonight we celebrated our January birthdays (Regina and Billy) at my dad's house.  Unfortunately, Robyn canceled...which meant Billy didn't get to be celebrated.  We were all so sad, but the party must go on.  We still sung to him...and his name was on the yummy cake, but we really did miss him.

Regina and Richelle were the two spoilers of the night.  Regina accidentally let Blip get a little too close to the cake...and he grabbed a nice handful of frosting.  I'm pretty sure he enjoyed every last lick of it, too.

After Regina blew out the candles, we put Blip in his booster and Richelle shared some of Grumpaw's homemade vanilla ice cream with him.  He liked it quite a bit, but he was really happy when Regina placed his very own piece of birthday cake on his tray.  We all sat back to watch...and we weren't disappointed.

We'll call it a practice run for the big 1st birthday party coming up in February.  He devoured the cake...especially the yummy icing.  It was all over his face, hands, and arms.  We didn't let him get too carried away, and the piece of cake was tiny.  His smash cake will be a lot more fun...twice. Once for his party and once for pictures with Aunt Natty.

He was exhausted by the time we headed for home.  He was worn out after crawling all over with Daddy and the cousins.  Blip fell asleep on the way home, and when I carried him up to his bed all I could smell was cake.

Sink or Swim

I do believe it's a rite of passage...everyone must be bathed in the kitchen sink at least once.  When McKenna and Bella turned one, I remember they took their turn in Grumpaw's kitchen sink.  They each got a side...and they were too cute.  I will have to find that picture.  The closest to twins our family has (so far).

Blip took his (first) turn last night.  Mike was asleep in our room, and I didn't want to wake him.  Yes...we do have two other bathrooms...both with bathtubs, but neither is set-up for Blip and the sink just seemed like less hassle.

I cleaned the sink, grabbed his yummy smelling soap from the diaper bag, filled up the sink, stripped him down...and put him in.  He was confused...and almost cried, but quickly realized he was actually having fun.

Blip does a new thing in the tub.  He tries to drink the bathwater...he is usually quite successful.  Gross.  He tried to bend down to drink the bathwater in the sink, but he couldn't figure out how.  So when I turned the faucet on to rinse Blip, he quickly took advantage...and began drinking the water straight out of the tap.  It has to be better than dirty bath water, right?

Our nights are usually so peaceful, like before.  We have our routine and then Blip goes down without a fight...he rarely cries, and if he isn't quite ready to fall asleep, talks to Henry for a bit.  I'm so thankful we are back to our happy place.

Thrill Seeker

I had a bunch of errands to run this afternoon.  I gave Mike a few options: 1) I could go by myself and come back 2) I could wait until after Blip's nap and take him with me...so Mike could sleep longer (he worked off duty last night until 4am, and he is working again tonight until 4am) or 3) They could both come with me...if they wanted to.  Mike said he didn't really "want" to, but said if I waited...they would both come with me.

I'm not sure what my choice would have been.  I honestly could have been gone, done, and back home by the time we left the house.  The baby took a long nap, and we let him sleep.  I got a lot done while I was waiting, but since Mike and I don't see a lot of each other during the week...sometimes errand time is all there is.  It's not forever, right?

I hopped out of the car at most places, ran in and took care of what I needed to do, so Blip ended up in his car seat a lot of the time.  We decided to take a quick swing break to help everyone power through our busy afternoon.

There are days I wish there were cameras recording the stuff we do...not like Big Brother, but a way to capture the most intimate of family activities that have no time for a camera.  Luckily, we have phones that have video and still cameras, but we still miss some stuff...and there's no way to ever have that moment again.  I just never want to miss any of it.

As soon as Blip's butt was in his regular swing, he was clapping and laughing.  He really does love it.  And we really do love that he loves it.  He laughs so loud...and he hollers for everyone in the park to hear.  I'm sure he's saying, "Higher, Dad!  Higher!"

Today we got a special treat.  Mike randomly stopped the swing as it came back to him.  He would hold Blip high off the ground and a complete stop...and then let him fly.  Blip loved it.  He celebrated by throwing his arms in the air before Mike would let the swing go.  Just like on a roller coaster.  We got such a kick out it.  He did it over and over...and just laughed and laughed.

He's gonna be just like his daddy.  

And he's gonna scare the heck outa me.

On a good note: he'll be a blast at Disneyland.  Maybe he can take Aunt Chelle on Tower of Terror... 

Interesting Things Going On

There have been some very interesting things going on over here. A whole lot of growing and changing...and getting too big, too fast!!

Uncle David came for a visit over the New Year holiday!  We absolutely love when David comes for a visit.  This time it was way too far in between, but truthfully...it's our turn to visit him in Austin.  I hope we can do that in the next year or so.  David stayed with us for most of his time in the Valley, but he got sick his first few days here.  He did a lot of sick time in our guest bedroom...poor guy!  I'm glad the baby is still young enough (and sleeps good enough) that David was able to get some peace and quiet...and recovery time.

 I guess Blip finally decided he could attempt to hold his own bottle...for everyone except me.  He has done it for me, but he really does prefer if I hold his bottle for him.  And I actually do prefer to hold it for him too.  I just want him to be my baby for as long as possible.  I know the next one won't get the same luxuries, so I might as well hold on to this baby as long as I can.

So Blip decided crawling wasn't quite cool enough anymore.  We've moved from the army crawl, to full on hand and knees crawling, to  pulling up to knees, to standing, to walking along furniture.  His walking along the furniture is not a perfected activity, but his standing is.

We are just about done getting the playroom together.  I hung the TV we bought, and I hung the stand for the DVD player too.  They are both plugged in, hooked up, and working great!  The beanbag chair we ordered from Pottery Barn Kids for Mike and I to have a place to sit in there came in.  It needs broken in, but it should work perfectly for what we need. We are spending a lot of time with Blip in the playroom...where all his toys are, he can have movies...he can't break anything. :) haha

 I came downstairs the other day to find Mike and Blip sitting on the couch together...just chillin'.  Blip finished his bottle...and the two of them were just hangin' out.  I was a little jealous, but they are so stinkin' cute together.  Mike had the TV on, but Blip thought he was completely in control.  And he was serious about it.

So much happens around here...it's hard to keep up.  Blip seems to change just about every time I turn around.  He is such a happy baby...such a joy in our lives.

(Very Long) Update: Reflux (Still) Sux

We've made some progress since my last post about Blip's Reflux issues.  Well...kinda.  If progress is having three appointments with three separate Pediatric Gi Doctors and having an endoscopy...then we've made progress.

Life has been a lot nicer since Blip started taking daily doses of Prevacid, Zantac, and Maalox.  We have also gotten very comfortable with the World's greatest invention- the TuckerSling. That little piece of Heaven has given us Blip's nightly 12+ hours of sleep back.  Some nights are still rough...and there is some screaming, but 9 nights outa 10...complete perfection.

So...back to ALL of our appointments.

When I initially started calling around to get an appointment with a Pediatric GI doc, I first called a doctor I read about at Banner Thunderbird.  He had good reviews on-line, and he's a DO, not an MD.  I liked the idea of someone being concerned about the overall "whole body" wellness of my child.  Not just someone who wants to medicate an issue to alleviate it.  

I was originally told that doctor was no longer taking new patients, so I told the scheduler to please make an appointment with another doctor in the practice...whichever doctor had the first opening.  THe first opening was months out, so I made an appointment with a PA.  I only had to wait until January 3rd, so I could handle that.

Next, I called to make an appointment with Dr. Silber (at PCH).  He was referred to me by a friend, but we honestly didn't want to drive to PCH every time we needed to see the doctor, so for location reasons only...he was not my first choice.  I was able to get an appointment with him on January 9th.

My third call was to Mike.  We were both upset about the wait times...so Mike asked me to keep looking.  I was frustrated, but kept looking.  (I heart Google!!  I don't know how anyone survived before it came into our lives!! haha)  I found Dr. Khurana...and made an appointment for the very next Monday. 

We liked him well enough, as I posted before.  Blah, blah, blah we made an appointment for an Endoscopy for January 7th.  And then we debated what we should do.  Over and over.  And over.

In the end, we decided it was best to follow through with the Endoscopy.  Blip had already been suffering, and if it took another month (or more) to figure out a new "plan" and get something scheduled...we just didn't think it was a good idea to wait.  At least if the Endoscopy was completed, we would have those records to take to a new doctor.

Before the date of the Endoscopy arrived, the appointment with the PA at Banner was upon us.  I was still hoping to somehow slide into an appointment with my original choice for Pediatric GI doc, so I met Mike and Blip at the doctor's office after work one afternoon.  

We got signed in, and I filled out all of the paperwork.  After I turned it in, the lady at the front desk asked me if we had been seen by another Pediatric GI doc.  I told her we had...this was our second opinion.  Her smile faded...the PA's aren't allowed to see second opinions.  Thinking it was my fault (since I made THAT appointment FIRST...and then never thought about it after that), I told her it was no big deal and asked if we could just reschedule.  I asked if there was any way to get in with my first choice even though he wasn't seeing new patients...but nope.  Not only is he not accepting new patients, he doesn't live in the state anymore.  Pretty good reason for not accepting new patients.

The next Monday was Blip's endoscopy.  We arrived at the hospital a few minutes before 9am.  We got all checked in, and then we were shown upstairs to the surgery/procedure waiting room.  I got Blip out of his carseat and held him tight while Mike got himself coffee.  A nurse came to get us.  He took us back to the prep area, but there really was no prep other than a few questions.  Dr. K came by to say hello, and so did Dr. Anaya (the Anesthesiologist).  Dr. A was very kind and gentle with Blip.  He explained that he would be using gas only to knock Blip out...and that he would only be out for a few minutes.  We signed more consent forms and were walked back to the procedure room.

It's funny that I have had a colonoscopy every other year since I was 18...I've never walked myself back to any room after in the prep area. I never see the scope...and Dr. Amin knows to let the meds take FULL control of my brain before he starts anything.  I'd hate to know what I say when I'm on those drugs...I'm sure I embarrass the hell outa myself.  Oh well....what can ya do?

In the procedure room there were several nurses, Dr. Anaya, and Dr. K.  Dr. A went over a few more things with us to help make us comfortable, and Dr. K told us we were allowed to stay until Blip was asleep.  

I reluctantly handed over my son to the nurses.  They had a warm blanket they wrapped him (like a papoose) so he couldn't "fight".  He looked helpless as he laid on that big hospital bed.  The nurses were trying to comfort him...I wasn't sure how close I was allowed to be, so I just touched his leg and told him everything was alright.  Dr. A kneeled down at the head of the bed and started to administer the gas.  He didn't make the baby wear a mask, I'm sure that would have made it worse...for all of us.  As Blip began breathing in the gas, he began to cry.  He tried to get out of his blanket restraint, but he couldn't.  

Dr. A rubbed Blip's forehead and spoke in a soft, low voice telling him it was okay.  After what seemed like forever, Blip's cries settled and his body stopped fighting.  It was the first time I really felt anything other than anxious.  I suddenly felt sick...and my heart was in my throat.  Blip's eyes rolled to the back of his head, and his body was still.

I could feel my eyes filling up with tears, so I made a beeline for the door.  The nurse who initially brought us back must have seen my face.  He walked us to the waiting room...and made us as comfortable as possible.  While we waited, we each sent our families a message...and then just waited.  I made a bottle, so I was ready when we were allowed back.

Dr. K came out after about 15 minutes (exactly like he said) and told us everything went well.  He said Blip definitely has mild reflux.  He told us Blip's stomach lining looked to be inflamed too, so he took biopsies of the stomach lining and from the esophagus.  From what Dr. K could see, there no sign of EE. He told us he wanted to switch Blip from Zantac to Prevacid...which confused us.  I interrupted and told Dr. K that Blip was already on Prevacid.  And Zantac.  He looked a little confused, but said not to change any medications until after we spoke at the follow-up appointment.  We each said a few more things...and Dr. K left.

Mike was not happy.  It really bothered him that Dr. K didn't know Blip's meds.  Because we're married...we run interference for each other.  When he's pissed, I am the cool head.  And when I'm pissed, he's the cool head.  At least when things are going as they should...that's the way it works.  So I tried to calm him down...talk him off the ledge and back into the waiting room.  Dr. K never prescribed Blip Prevacid.  Our pediatrician did.  Not giving him an excuse, but he saw Blip one time...I don't expect him to have his entire chart memorized.  I agree, he should have known what meds Blips was currently taking, but, for me, it was not the end of the world.  For Mike...he was not happy.

We waited a few more minutes before they came to get us.  As soon as the door opened, we could hear Blip screaming.  Scared and hungry...that was the sound this momma could hear.  The doors opened, and I could see a sweet nurse trying her best to comfort my son.  She immediately handed him over to me...and I immediately felt relief.  They brought me a rocking chair, so I could sit and feed Blip.  He clung to me...and me to him.  I was so thankful.  It was such a simple procedure, but I was so thankful to be sitting in the big chair rocking my boy.  Mike stayed close...he's like a bodyguard.  I love it.

Dr. A asked if we spoke with Dr. K.  We said we had, and then he mentioned Blip had a narrowing of the esophagus they had to "break through".  WHAT!?  Our doctor was long gone...and Dr. A made it sound like a big nothing, but we were NOT happy.  We finished feeding the baby, loaded him up in his carseat, and took him home.  Our discharge instructions were to change nothing and make a follow-up appointment with Dr. K.

We fed Blip french toast for breakfast at home...and then had a normal day...as if nothing happened.  

I made an appointment with Dr. K for that Thursday, but we had our appointment with Dr. Silber on Wednesday.  We decided to make Dr. S our second opinion...really our new doctor.

I met Mike and Blip at PCH for our appointment on Wednesday. We waited for a few minutes before being called back.  While we waited I overheard two mom's discussing their childrens' GI/reflux/nutrition issues.  I caught myself holding my perfectly healthy baby tighter and tighter.  Sure...he has this little reflux issue, but he eats, he gains weight, he's happy, he isn't a HUGE puker, he sleeps (other than the 10 weeks of hell)...he is perfectly.  With reflux.  The moms in the waiting room had very sickly children.  Babies that were way too small for their ages, babies who don't eat, and all sorts of other hard issues.

I was happy to be called back to our room.  Dr. S entered after we got Blip's weight (22 lbs 4 oz) and height (31.5 in).  He sat down and asked us to start from the beginning, so I regurgitated the entire story.  He asked questions along the way...and when I was done, he looked Blip over.  We then went over several ideas for treatment...and he seemed to value our input.  We agreed on a plan...we discussed and went over said plan, he wrote us two new prescriptions, and gave us his contact information.  He asked us several times if we had any questions...and then left the room.

His "plan" reminded me of being with Dr. Behera.  We had several steps we could choose from...the first being the least drastic and the last being the most drastic. Here's what I remember of our steps:

1. Do nothing.  Stay where we are with meds and see how Blip does.

2. Change Blip's meds a bit.  Watch him for a few weeks...if we like what changes have been made, keep with it until our next appointment in 8 weeks.

3. Change up Blip's meds a lot. Watch him for a few weeks...if we like what changes have been made, keep with it until our next appointment in 8 weeks.

4. Upper GI with Barium.

5. A test I can't remember the name of that tests the amount of acid in Blip's esophagus.

6. Start testing other stuff.  Neuro, etc.

We are starting on step 2.  Dr. S took Blip off Maalox altogether.  He upped his Zantac dose by 1 ml and left his dose of Prevacid alone.  He also asked us to change the times of day we were giving Blip his meds...just reverse them.  So Prevacid is now in at night and Zantac is in the morning.  

Dr. S said that Prevacid only works for about 12-14 hours, so if Blip's discomfort is mostly at night...giving him the Prevacid at night time would help alleviate that issue.  The Zantac in the morning will help keep Blip comfortable during the day.  We meet with Dr. S again in 8 weeks.  He asked to see us in 6 weeks, but 8 weeks was his very first available.

The next afternoon I met with Dr. K.  I didn't bring Mike or Blip.  Mike needed to be at work (on time after all these dang appointments) and there was no reason for Blip to be there.  We sat down and Dr. K said the biopsies came back negative.  Blip does not have EE or any permanent damage/scarring because of his reflux.

I asked Dr. K about the stricture that Dr. A mentioned to us after the procedure.  He was upset that Dr. A shared that information with us...because Blip did NOT have that issue.  The patient BEFORE Blip had that issue.  Dr. K told me he would have talked to me about anything that serious after the procedure.  He apologized again.  

I told him I liked the way Dr. A was with Blip, so I was not looking to get him in "trouble".  Dr. K said he understood.  Dr. K explained he didn't need to see Blip again unless there was a problem.  Most babies grow out of their reflux issues around the one year mark, according to Dr. K.  According to Dr. S...it's between 8-18 months.  And we don't want Blip on Prevacid long term...as there could be issues.

I honestly like Dr. K.  I have no real complaints, but I think Mike feels more comfortable with Dr. S, so that means I also feel more comfortable with Dr. S.  So for now, we will start with step 2...and take it day by day.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park

We have been trying to get out of the house to have some fun as a family each weekend.  Some weekends it is a lot easier than others, but we have vowed to make time to lear, grow and have fun experiences on the days we actually get to be together as a family.  We are only a threesome two days a week, so it makes getting everything taken care of AND having time left over for fun a bit more complicated.  Luckily, Blip is still easy to please...since his favorite past time is going to the park to swing.

After our train ride in Anthem on New Year's Day, we decided to try one of the other train parks in the Valley.  On Sunday afternoon we drove out to McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park to ride the train and enjoy the weather.

The train was a little different, but we liked it the same.  Blip did too...which means he was pretty much content to just be there with Mom and Dad.  We know he is still too little to "get it," but every experience helps him learn and grow, so we're just having fun being together.

Once the train ride was over we walked over the playground.  We were happy to see baby swings!!  I think Blip likes to swing more and more each time we go to the park.  I wish we could get him a swing at home, but the way our patio has to be enclosed because of the pool and our turtle pond makes it pretty much impossible to hang a swing.  Oh well.  It's a good excuse to take a walk to the park.

I love watching Blip's pure joy.  He claps when he's happy...and he clapped the majority of the time we were there.  He laughed out loud and had a huge smile on his face the entire time.  It was the best part.

Haircut

We did it.

We finally had the mop on Blip's head trimmed up a bit.  It looks super cute now, but I think it needs just a bit more weight off the top.  The back was cute for about a day.  The boy definitely has my not quite curly, but not exactly straight hair.  When the back was just a teensy bit long, it started to curl.  I can actually say it was cute.  But then it kept growing...and the curl turn to a mess of not quite curly, but not straight either. He was starting to look like a hot mess...with a badly fitting toupee on top...that waved in the wind.  

We took Blip to see Al, Mike's new barber (close to the house).  Al was great with the baby, but I think when I go see Stacy next month I will drag the boy along for a decent cut/shape-up before his birthday party and pictures.

Blip was amazing.  He was calm and cooperative the entire time...like always.  He even giggled a bit when Al used the clippers.  He is such a good baby...a complete sweetheart. My after pictures aren't great, but at least you get the point. :)  Al was great too...he was very kind and patient with Blip.