tummy bug, colds and fever

Since the last post, Will and I got a tummy bug, then once done with that, shared another cold with Daddy.  Yesterday was his second round of immunizations, and with that came his first wee fever (still enough to call the on call Dr. to check in--a small fever is common with the shots, but Dr. wants to know regardless)--100.4.  So now Will has got another yucky medication taste to add to his sensory experience.  I can't tell which "flavor" bugs him more: the "banana" or the "grape."  I have tasted both, and they are nasty.

So in about another 10 minutes (2:35 a.m. right now), he'll get a little more "grape" stuff.  He seems to be resting comfortably--still eating on schedule--just taking deep mellow snoozes between feedings.

Maybe Raffi should update that song-- "when you wake up in the night time and you don't know what to do, you post your blog. tap tap tap tap, tap tap tap, tap tap. you post your blog." (everybody sing!)

Still, one smile from him is like a dose of wonderful tasting, gosh what a sweetie,  make your bad day all better medicine for me.

Shy smiling little guy

Maybe later--not in the mood right now

Nope, can't get this kid to smile unless he is in the mood.  And you are holding a bottle or a binkie, and even then, he has to be in the mood.  Who can blame him?

YMCA aka. sleeping/waking up postions all within 2 minutes

 Everyone sing . . .

It's fun to stay at the YMCA
the YMCA!

Big Foot squirrel

We put out peanut butter for the squirrels sometimes on a little dish.  Guess groundhogs like peanut butter to.  That or this is one big squirrel!  And just an FYI--if a squirrel and a groundhog are facing off over a little dish of peanut butter, in our neck of the woods, the squirrel wins.  Maybe is it because they are so fast, or maybe because the squirrels have acclimated to us and aren't antsy at all about having us watch them like the ground hog obviously is.  Can this cubster waddle or what???!

Look who has just started to smile!

We haven't caught a full one on camera yet--think Will just likes to see the antics we pull trying to get him to do it so we can get a pic.

Fuzz that Wazz demanding hazmat suit

In the early days, Will would ramp up much more slowly when he was hungry, phasing between: "I think I am waking up .. . yes, I am awake . . .whaaa.. . I think I am hungry.  Yes, I am definitely hungry. WHAAAH . . .I am starving--Where's my lunch??!!  Where's my dinner??! Where's my hassinpheffer?!!!"

And then things would progress to "WhaaaHHHaaaa! (imagine an angry ashmatic billy goat)", and then would escalate to "WAANNNNNNYOWL (imagine an enraged cat in heat)".   Now he is so loud that a parent can't think, never the less hear what the other parent is saying.  The final crescendo is babyesse for "I am either going to vomit, or cough up my lungs which will both fall down to the floor and flip about like goldfish out of water, or just plain die because I am soooooo hungry".  (These days, Will goes straight from "I am awake" to "here come my lungs, ready or not").

Now the bears and other creatures were both awed and terrified by these outbursts.  And they had learned, through observation, that the infamous "binkie" was the only temporary method for decreasing this increadiable "growling".  It was decided amongst them that one brave creature must volunteer to help the binkie stay in Will's mouth while Mom or Dad made the bottle and warmed it up.  "Fuzz that Wazz" Bear volunteered.  You see, Fuzz that Wazz is a lovely little bear from Mary Meyer's "earthfriends" collection--he is entirely made from recycled plastic bottles.  And too cute to boot.

So Fuzz that Wazz stepped up to a screaming Will (who was about to loose the bazillionth binkie that day) and literally put his paw where Will's mouth was.  This proved to be of great assistance. . . however . . .

At that very same feeding's diaper change time, as that brave little bear waited patiently for a small sign of gratitude on Will's part, Will spit up all over Fuzz That Wazz--right in the face-- point blank.

Needless to say, FTW is now going through some intense post traumatic stress disorder therapy.  He has agreed to come back and serve as binkie anchor, but only under the following conditions:

1. He gets hazard pay
2. He gets rocked while being feed a 4 oz. bottle of honey twice daily.
3. He gets to wear a hazmat suit when dealing with the baby. . . . he thinks the yellow one would look the best on him.

first family cold

We have our first family cold.  Jim got the worst of it.  Will is pretty stuffed up as well.  He has been really getting irritated with the nasal aspirator but it does help him not snort like a piggy. 
Will's is actually blue. We adapted an old folk song in honor of it.  Here's a link to Peter, Paul and Mary's version of it, along with our own lyrics below. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2TZ_zQjMfQ

"Well, I had a boogie sniffer and his name was Blue,
Had a boogie sniffer and his name was Blue.
Had a boogie sniffer and his name was Blue...
Betcha five dollars he's a good sniffer too...
Here old Blue
you boogie sniffer you.

Old Blue snuffs up boogie clogs like greased lightin,
Old Blue snuffs like greased lightin,
Old Blue snuffs like greased lightin,
Betcha five dollars he's better than a Dyson . . .
Singing here old Blue
you boogie sniffer you."

Will planning world take over with penguins

Maybe it is just the fact that penguins are black and white and therefore interesting for Will to look at.  Maybe it is the fact that they stand up so tall and with such great posture and seem to hang on every "word" Will tells them.  Maybe this group is made up of all followers, who wait patiently for Will to finish his nap, so they can receive their instructions from their new found leader who occasionally wears little funny hats. 

What ever the reason, Jim and I are pretty sure that Will is planning a world take over.  So if you find your self surrounded by wee flightless birds wearing tuxedos, who are politely but assertively demanding you procure and deliver thousands of binkies as an offering to King William--master of all he surveys (which isn't much given he can't really see past 2 or 3 feet at this stage in his development), you will know that Jim and I have lost the struggle for dominance to this cute little fuss muffin who is our son.

We have expanded our den by 2 paws

The traditional phrase, when one has a new baby, is "We have expanded our house by 2 feet", but given I am such an archtophile (someone who is addicted to teddy bears and usually has one with him/her at all times), the 2 paws seemed more appropriate.  Archtophiles in England refer to their bear collections as their "hug". I always liked that idea. Teddies are such unconditional loving, supportive, snuggly creatures. These traits are the ones I am striving for as a new parent.

Jim and I had been trying to have a family of our own for about five or six years. But after miscarriages and unsuccessful infertility treatment, no cub was in sight. So we decided to pursue an open adoption. After waiting 24 months to be chosen by a birth mother, we were selected by a wonderful, strong, loving and courageous woman. She gave us the precious gift of a son, who we named Will, on June 4, 2010. He was seven weeks early and was almost 4 lbs. He had to spend about three weeks in the NICU, but did great and continues to grow at a remarkable rate--10 lb. 6 oz. as of last week.

This entire process of becoming a family has been the most challenging period of my life. There have been some real low points, many completely overwhelming times, but now, much more exciting and joyful times. Each day is an adventure and a blessing.
-Liz