Sheena's Thursday Thoughts

*****WARNING*****

This post is just going to be a mess of thoughts and emotions.

First I just love my kid. Ryan and I took him to his one year wellness visit yesterday. He was obviously a year old in January but the doctor needed the day off so we rescheduled the visit for February. Although, he had to get shots and that is never fun, talking to the doctor about his weight, height, what he’s eating, what’s he’s doing, how he’s sleeping is nice.

Tino doesn’t see a pediatrician. We all see the same family practitioner and Tino just so happens to be the youngest patient at our family doctor’s office so when we arrive the whole place stops and everyone gushes over him.

The wellness visits are a chance for us to recap Tino’s new milestones and address concerns. Dr. Case is great in the fact that he encourages me to trust my instinct. When Tino was born he wasn’t gaining weight super fast. I mean he gained but just slowly. If I expressed concern Dr. Case would say, “Sheena he gaining and he going to continue to gain. Breastfed babies gain weight slower. It’s normal and will be better for him long term, but if you’re worried you can supplement but I don’t think he needs it.”

Our family doctor is so encouraging. He always tells us we are doing a great job. He asked if Tino is still nursing and I told him sadly he weaned himself. I told him I was very sad about it. His response was, “Well of course you are.” I love that. Most people respond with, “Well, Mommy he’s growing up.” I know that but it’s still sad to end something that was such an intense bonding experience. Dr. Case was one of my cheerleaders when it came to breastfeeding so I was very touched that he acknowledged that stopping wouldn’t be easy.

Also, Tino’s walking since seeing him last and that was exciting. And, right before we left I said to Tino, “Where’s Tino?” and he points to his chest and claps. That made Dr. Case chuckle and us proud.

Ryan and I were just observing Tino last night while he was playing. Honestly, when I pictured our child in my head before we had him I just never pictured something so beautiful. He is just that… beautiful; his wispy light brown hair and his blue eyes. I secretly wanted a brown haired blue eyed son but I never thought we’d have one since Ryan and I both have brown eyes. When he was born with blue eyes I figured they would change to brown. However, they are still as blue as the day he was born. Dr. Case says they are most likely going to stay that way.

When Tino smiles, my whole world is right and good. My heart soars. I can’t imagine my life without him and if I try I get anxious and upset and I bury the thought quickly before tears rush to my eyes. When I rock him at night sometimes I find myself expressing such deep gratitude in prayer to God for entrusting this miraculous little creature to us. What did we do to deserve such a perfect little boy? I never thought I could love something so much. I don’t think anyone can tell you what it’s going to be like to have a child. The challenges and frustrations of just taking care of their basic needs are in themselves an atomic bomb of change and adjustment. But, the warmth they bring to your heart and your soul is overwhelming. It brings tears to my eyes.

This morning Tino was up earlier than usual so we had about 20 minutes of playtime on the living room floor before we had to head out to daycare. He was relaxing with Dada in the recliner. With Ryan reclining back and Tino lounging in the curve of his arm, I notice something I’ve noticed before that always makes me smile from ear to ear. Ryan reclining in his chair, his ankles crossed and Tino lounging in the curve of his arm, ANKLES CROSSED! They are relaxing in the exact same position. Now either Tino is mimicking his father or he just is comfortable in this same position. Either way it’s about the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen in my whole life. I mentioned this to my mom this morning and she burst out laughing, a deep belly laugh, saying she’s noticed it as well. 

I love that we had a son. I love having Ryan and his mini. These two men mean so much to me and have turned out to be my whole world and the source of all my joy. I feel so overwhelmed to literally drop to my knees and thank God for them both!!

All the kids at daycare are sick. I feel like we just got our family better. Tino’s been teething. He got shots yesterday so I’m sure the next couple days he may be a little fussy and perhaps even run a low grade fever. He’s had a runny nose for weeks with the teething. And, this morning he started with a cough. I fear we are in for a rough couple weeks ahead with potentially a fussy little man. Say a prayer that it’s not too painful for us all.

I have the baby itch. I really do. I’m ready for another child. However, Ryan’s not working. He’s in the middle of his clinicals. We have to wait. It’s the right thing. But, if circumstances were different I think we’d be trying for number two. And, I’ve really been thinking I’d like to have three children total. I’m hoping that after Ryan graduates and he’s working he’ll be on board with this plan. We’ll just have to wait and see.

That’s it. I told you this was a smorgasbord of thoughts and emotions. I hope you were able to follow along.

Dr. Nicole A. Green at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware

Our second or third night home from the hospital with Santino his colic began. He screamed and screamed and SCREAMED!! His whole body was beet red, limbs rigid, sweating and his screams reverberated in your ears. At 1 am Ryan and I were just out of our minds. It surprises me to this day that we didn’t kill one another but when I think back we were probably too shocked, exhausted and scared to even think of one another. We called Tino’s family doctor, Dr. Case. He called us right back. He said, “Hey guys. If you’ve fed him, changed him, and he doesn’t have a fever he’s probably fine. It sounds like he may be colicky. Do your best to sooth him. If you’re that worried I’d say take him to A.I. You’re doing great. Good luck.” We gave it another hour or so and finally decided to take him to A.I. our local children’s hospital 40 minutes away. Sleep deprived we packed his diaper bag, strapped him into his car seat and got on our way. He screamed the ENTIRE 40 minutes. And, I kid you not, when we pulled into the parking lot, he fell asleep. Having made the trip, we weren’t turning around. We marched into the Emergency Room, set our “little bundle of joy” on the counter. Pointing at him, we demanded someone look at “this” kid because “something has to be wrong with this child”. The nurses glanced at one another and then looked at us and said, “Is this your first baby?” Ryan and I looked at one another and then looked the nurse square in the eye and said, “Yes.” They smiled and took us back to an examination room. The nurse brought me a pillow to nurse Tino and a cup of water. She reminded me with breastfeeding it’s important to stay hydrated. One nursing session and a diaper change later a light knock came on the door and this short, thin, brunette doctor in blue scrubs peaked in. She said, “Hi! I’m Dr. Green and I love his name, Santino!! I have a Salvatore!!” She came and sat down on the bed with Tino. We told her what was happening at home and taking her stethoscope she listened to Tino’s chest and tummy. I was sobbing. My hand was resting on the bed next to him. After, about 30 seconds of examining him, she took my hand and talked me off the ledge. She said, “He’s a new baby. His digestive system is not fully developed. He’s going to have a lot of gas. You’re breastfeeding?” I nodded. She continued, “That’s the absolute best thing you can do for him. It sounds like he has a bit of colic.” To this day the phrase “bit of colic” makes me laugh out loud. She said, “I just had my second baby. I remember the first one. He had colic. He cried all the time. I was breastfeeding. My husband and I are both pediatricians and both know everything about breastfeeding but the round the clock feedings and crying and lack of sleep are so hard. You’re tired. You had a c-section.” She told me she would pass her baby to her husband and she would go cry in the shower and he would sneak the baby a bottle of formula. She held my hand and told me it would get better. That in six months Tino would be a different baby and that by the time he is one year old we’d want another. She said she felt for me and wished she could hold me and tell me everything was going to be alright. I remember she had tears in her eyes. She told us how beautiful and perfect he was. She instructed me to wake him and offer my breast to him every two to three hours around the clock until my milk supply was well established. She asked if we had any questions and then sent us home with some information on colic. She was one of the kindest human beings I’ve ever encountered. To this day I wish I could meet her again. I’d hug and thank her for being so sweet. I’ll never forget her. She was so empathetic. I know now that if she wasn’t such a professional, had we been sitting on my couch as friends, she would not only have held my hand but hugged and cried with me. Although she didn’t perform any intense medical diagnosis or intervention she was an incredible doctor with such a tender and loving bedside manner. The best part is, she was 100% right. He is a completely different baby. We love him more than anything else in this world. I hope that if anyone ever meets Dr. Nicole A. Green at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children that you'd please pass on this message of thanks to her from me, Sheena Erace, a terrified first time mom of a colicky little boy.

 

Turkey Tetrazzini but actually it should be called Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole

We call it Turkey Tetrazzini but actually it should be called Thanksgiving Leftovers Casserole.

This year it consisted of:

A few cups of chopped leftover turkey

A cup of leftover gravy

½ cup of leftover diced onion

A cup of frozen peas (we didn’t have any leftover veggies)

1 can of cream of mushroom/chicken soup

1 cup of shredded medium cheddar cheese

¾ cup of parmesan cheese

A few tbsp of bacon bits (usually I like to fry fresh bacon and crumble it in but we didn’t have any)

A sprinkle of dried thyme leaves

A sprinkle of garlic powder

A sprinkle of oregano

A sprinkle of fresh ground pepper

1 box of bowtie pasta (cooked and drained, reserve a cup or two of pasta cooking water)

Breadcrumbs or crushed up or leftover club crackers from Thanksgiving’s crab dip. Crushed potato chips work well too.

Paprika

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350˚F

Mix first 12 ingredients in a large bowl.

Add pasta and fold till incorporated, using reserved pasta cooking water till you have a creamy casserole. The turkey really dries this out so make it pretty creamy.

Spread this mixture into a 13x9 baking dish that’s been sprayed with cooking spray.

Top with a thin layer of breadcrumbs/crackers/chips and add a sprinkle of Paprika for color.

Everything is cooked so you’re just heating it through at 350˚F for 25 minutes

Serve nice and not with left over wine. You got use it up anyway right?!?!

This is really a very flexible recipe. If you have leftovers that you think would be a good addition then go ahead and throw them in there. Enjoy!!

Mr. Breakfast says, "Eat your oatmeal!!"

I found the coolest site today. www.MrBreakfast.com. I found this by googling oatmeal because 1. Oatmeal is supposed to be VERY good for you and 2. I don't really like it and I was looking for inspiration to keep eating it and ideas to spice it up so to say. Anyway, oatmeal IS quick and easy and healthy. It's also said to be good for your breast milk supply which let's face it is dwindling now that Santino is 10 months old and really only nursing about 4 times a day. So I'm thinking of getting a box of Quaker instant oatmeal. I don't really care for any of the traditional flavors, raisins and spice, apple, maple, banana, blah, blah, blah. It's all gross. Mr. Breakfast suggested adding nuts. I love walnuts so I'm going to buy a bag of chopped and add a tablespoon or so. He also suggested adding a teaspoon or two of your favorite preserves. My favorite just so happens to be strawberry. Stay tuned for a post in the next few weeks about my venture into the realm of healthy oatmeal for breakfast. I'm still sticking with my big breakfast on Saturdays that my husband always cooks. Eggs, breakfast meat, hash browns, English muffins and coffee. It's our thing.

The Holidays are Approaching!!

We have so many events ahead of us in the upcoming months. We have two Thanksgiving dinners. We have a slew of birthday parties. We have two holiday parties and then actual Christmas. Also, six couples we know are pregnant and due in the next few months. Ryan's working a part time job now. It's only a few times a month but it's money and it's helpful and he enjoys it. The company he is working for is run by a wonderful couple, who just so happen to be one of the couples expecting their first child. I'm very excited for them. Anyway, with all these events coming up I'm intimidated because I dread this time of year. The rushing around, long car rides and late nights. What's really worrying me is doing all this with a ten month old. I know we'll get through it but as far as energy goes, I'm not looking forward to it. I am looking forward to my son walking soon. He enjoys groups of people and parties. He's a total ham. There are going to be lots of smiles and laughs. So many new things for him to see and foods to try. I want to walk him around to see Christmas lights. He's going to love the Christmas tree. I want to make him a stocking. I want to see his face when he tries cranberry sauce for the first time. It's just going to be awesome. Exhausting but so awesome. I'm saying it early. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas everyone!!

First Post

I'm nervous to commit myself to writing a blog. I still refer to myself as a new mom even though my son is, jeez, ten months old. However, I've recently quit facebook. I say quit facebook because I was addicted and like quitting smoking over five years ago I'm going through a withdrawal period. However, my friend Stephanie's blog Calculating Blessings is awesome and I love her quirky posts so I'm going to be brave and try this out. Wish me luck. I have no idea when I'm going to post again. Thanks in advance for all your encouragement. Love, Sheena