Last Thursday was Gus' 26th birthday...and Harper's 2 month birthday (if we can call it that for lack of a better term!). We had family and a few friends over for a Fiesta! Taco bar, salad, corn bread, and black bean salad. And of course Jo's famous blackberry pie for dessert. Gus' favorite! It was a lot of fun, but so different from his birthday last year. I was prep cooking all day with a baby on my front (LOVE LOVE LOVE my new Baby Bjorn! Puts the little man right to sleep so I can clean clean clean!) It's crazy to think that just one year ago we had no idea we wanted such a perfect little guy in our lives. I can't imagine life any different! Now if I could just get these days to start passing a little slower life would be perfect! It was so great to have everyone together and celebrate my wonderfully handsome husband!
The next morning we headed to Portland for Harper's 2 month check-up and first set of vaccinations. I know vaccines are a touchy subject among many, and for those 48 hours after, I questioned our decision to give him all of them at once, but we decided as a family not to micro-manage our pediatrician and he hasn't led us astray thus far. He has Harper's best interest in mind and that's what we want.
He passed his check-up with flying colors! He's in the 50th percentile for height and weight at 11 pounds 7 ounces and 23 1/4 inches long! He's such a big boy! He's working on holding his head up and every day he grows stronger and stronger! The doctor said he was perfect...and I have to brag for a minute...he said, "Wow, he sure doesn't take his eyes off his mommy, does he?" I smiled...secretly super stoked for the bond Harper and I have made! It's so neat to see him learning and favoring things and realizing his little place in this big big world. I'm so proud of him already and he's yet to laugh or roll-over! I'm easily satisfied, I guess?!
The doctor was also impressed that he began smiling at 3 weeks 6 days old! He thought we mis-spoke. His eyes grew wide when we assured him we hadn't! Harper was on his best behavior smiling and coo-ing non-stop for Dr. Snyder. Doctor was happy with his constant chatter as well! Then the tiny little nurse came in with a tray full of vaccinations. The first one was oral and he didn't love it, but he did alright. Then he got two shots....one in each little thigh...and band-aids to boot. This was when I snuck behind Gus and let him help the nurse. I stood behind him holding his belt-loop (or shirt, or something I'm not sure) wishing I were anywhere but there. Gus said the first one he yelled a little and realized it wasn't a big deal, then the second one made him really mad. He cried and cried and cried.....And of course I did too. I only let one tear fall this time! Gus and I soothed him and put him in his car seat and he slept the whole way home.
We were due for a crab feed that evening with family and we said we'd see how Harper was feeling and that would determine if we'd be able to make it. We got home and let Harper stretch out and wake up and he was all smiles once again and having a good time exercising on the floor. So we decided after about an hour of that it'd be safe to go to dinner. We arrived, he was due for a feeding, so we fed, and the tears never stopped. Gus was able to eat and I got a little something and we were home before the hour was through. The poor guy got a low grade fever from his vaccinations and was so uncomfortable. He cried and cried and cried and I finally got him to sleep in my arms. We had to wait seven hours before giving him any Tylenol (studies question effectiveness of vaccines with Tylenol) and then we snuggled between feedings and fits all night long. I felt so bad for him. His fever was gone by morning and the fussiness continued the full 48 hours. He's now back to his happy smily self...until nap time at least! .....which leads me to........
.........every dental hygienist's nightmare..........
Harper has found his THUMB! He's frustrated just before bedtime and naps though because he doesn't quite have the hang of it yet, and wont take his pacifier because he prefers the thumb. Because he doesn't have it down yet (ie: his whole fist is usually in his mouth because he can't separate that little thumb from the others! VERY CUTE!) nothing soothes him to sleep. So he cries and after about fifteen minutes or so (now that we know this is why he's fussing!) I can coax him into taking the pacifier and I'll rock him to sleep. But it's happening every few hours throughout the day. He's just so tired and wants that darn thumb to do the job!
The pediatrician says it's a good thing he's found it...and I stare at him blankly as to why that could possibly be a good thing...I'm thinking arched hard palates, over-jets, and open-bites.....face-morphing side effects which lead to thousands in repairs...Okay...a little dramatic...I know, but blogging means sharing the thoughts in your head, even the crazy ones! ...Not to mention we can't cut off a thumb like we can the nipple of a pacifier (this happened to Gus' beloved binky when he was a babe), nor can we send a thumb to binky heaven??!!
BUT...after thinking it through, I'll deal with the consequences later and again be proud of our little man for at just two short months learning ways to self soothe his little soul. In the words of my mother, "Harper is so advanced"....Yes...Yes he is...
Harper smiling big with FarMor
Twins! And they both wore them all day and didn't even call the other to coordinate! It was obviously game-day. Gus wore his Ducks shirt and Harper spit up all over him before the game even began! I think he's already a Beaver fan!
Just a comparison shot...Harper at one month and then at two months...He's growing so big and strong!
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