Chanukah and snow

From Chanukah and snow

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Not much has been going on in New Haven the past few weeks and we like it that way! Max is scooting on his bottom and has many funny faces. He's sleeping like a champ, but wakes up and screams sometimes (night terrors Anne A. thinks...). He takes two naps a day and sleeps about 12 hours a night. Usually I have to wake him up in the morning to get him ready to go to daycare. He's Mr. Smiley when I go in to get him in the mornings, which totally gets my day off to a great start. We celebrated Chanukah without fanfare or presents for each night. We figure we only have this year to do that, so we took advantage!

Lou is on the SICU this month and next month is Transplant. I'm working at a neighborhood school tutoring small groups in reading. It's very rewarding, but certainly frustrating when children are running and screaming in the halls. I'm still at New Haven Reads and enjoying running the Science Park location.

Max's 7th month

From Max's 7th month

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Max is growing more and more each day! It's so fun to watch him discovering life. Today we had a family photo shoot at the park. Max sat up for more than a few minutes independently! Yah! It was wonderful to have a family day. Max had an ultrasound last week to check on his head. It's a bit large, so our pediatrician was somewhat concerned... but he's fine!!!

Max's 6 month update and Papa's funeral

Max's 6 month update: He's still a little peanut at 14.2 lbs (10th percentile), 27 inches (75th percentile), and his big ole head is in the 85th percentile! He's now going to eat 2x a day and I'm giving him juice for the first time. He seems to like it, but who knows...

From Chattanooga Oct. 09

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Max and I just returned from a visit to Chattanooga for Papa's funeral.  For more details visit www.emilyandgene.blogspot.com.  He was an amazing man and I'm proud to say I am his granddaughter.  He taught me patience by showing it to me over and over again.  While I am sad about him leaving Earth, I'm happy that he is not stuck in the hospital unable to life life to the fullest as he liked to do.  We had a wonderful visit with family and Max was pretty good traveler.  We missed Lou, but are excited he's off for Thanksgiving this year.  We'll be in Chattanooga again--Max's third plane trip!

Max's first experience with cereal

From Max's first experience with cereal

Max experienced rice cereal for the first time being fed by Daddy on Sunday, September 6 with guests Ali and Uncle Valdis watching. I recorded it for posterity (RE: Max's grandparents and great grandparents). I'll try to post that later. Despite showing all the signs of being ready to eat, he wasn't quite sure what to do with it. I tried again tonight, but he just gave me a dirty look as if to say, "What is this yucky stuff, Mommy?" His formula tastes awful and he seems to choke that down just fine--in fact, he's holding his own bottle now! When Lou put the spoon of cereal into Max's mouth at first he was excited, maybe because I was videoing it, Ali was taking photos, and Valdis was looking on--so, all eyes were on Max, the way he likes it! He soon gave us all the dirty face--"what is this you're feeding me???" So, after trying again tonight with a failure to consume, bananas are next...

Lou earns his PhD!!!

Philly Summer 2009

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Max and I drove to Yardley, Pa. (near Philly) for a visit with Aunt Myra and Uncle Milko.  It was so fun to hang out and chat like a slumber party!  Lou took the train down to Baltimore to defend his dissertation on Tuesday (also his birthday).  He rocked it!!!  We met him at Aunt Carol and Uncle Michael's after coming back triumphant!  Max was very excited to see his daddy (as was I).  On Monday, Max and I visited my former school, Imani and he made his debut!  Of course he was a hit---how could be not be?  :)

Last night was awful.  My poor baby has a cold.  We confidently put him in his pack 'n play at 8 and he cried a bit.  I guess he wasn't ready to hit the hay!  I rescued him and gave him a bottle.  He then went to sleep with his thumb in his mouth.  About 10 when Lou and I were going to bed, Max woke up.  He's slept through the night for the past 5 weeks and I've been spoiled!!!  Poor Maxy couldn't breathe.  He kept trying to suck his thumb and breathe through his nose.  It was a miserable night for all of us!  Carol and I went out to get a bulb to aspirate him, saline nasal spray, and Vicks Vaporub.  Max woke up every hour and a half and both of us felt awful today (and max!)

Lou drove back while Max slept most of the way.  We're having him sleep in his swing tonight, since it's upright.  He just started crying from the congestion...Here's to hoping his first cold is SHORT!

Chattanooga visit

Chattanooga #1

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chattanooga #2

Max and I had a great visit with a ton of family and friends in Chattanooga. More pictures and details later.

More Brigantine

Myra's family visits at the beach

Beach Thurs. and Fri.

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Brigantine 2009- click each to view all

Brigantine July 2009

Sunday shore

Max's first trip to the beach

From Last Import

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Of course our little monkey didn't like the Long Island Sounds one bit!  He liked the sand and watching the water, but not getting in it!  I'm sure his aversion to water is going to change, but it's just funny that Lou and I both grew up swimming and with boats in our families and now our child hates water!  Lou took him for a little dip, which lasted about 2 seconds, then he started screaming hysterically!!!  Poor baby.  He was doused up in UV protection from his hat to his 60spf on his toes!  

My Mom and Issi come in on Tuesday.  I'm so excited for them to see how much Max has changed in the last two months!  He's grabbing, laughing, and sticks out his bottom lip when he's unhappy!  He's turning into quite the character.

My stepmother, Lynn, is going through chemo for breast cancer, which totally stinks!  I keep thinking it's like the first trimester of pregnancy when I was so tired and nauseated, except I kept my hair (it's coming out now!)  Lou's mom also has breast cancer, but is going to have a lumpectomy first sometime in August, then radiation.

My grandfather, Lou's dad, Papa is still on a vent and has been moved to a facility.  

Things are looking up here though...I have another part-time job for the fall running small groups for second grade literacy at a neighborhood school.  With this and staying at New Haven Reads, I can still hang out with Max one afternoon a week and not be so stressed about teaching.  I'm still deciding on childcare for Max.  I found a place and really like it, but she won't hold the spot until September, when I need it.  So, we'll see.  I found another place, but the drawback there is that she has a cat (even though it stays in the basement!)...

4th of July

Fourth of July and Visit with Mia

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The Stein family went to Tanya and Rick's for the Fourth of July!  Max went in the pool for the first time and unlike his cousin, Madison, he HATED IT!  He was HYSTERICAL and lasted about 3 minutes until I gave him back to Lou.  

On Friday, July 3, Max and I went to visit Mia and Lena in Armonk.  We had a blast hanging out.  Lena was adorable in the backseat with Baby Max!  He was crying and Lena said, "It's ok Baby Max.  I love you..."  Then she offered him her lovey- Turtle!  What a doll!  We visited Leigh and her family, including new baby, Matthew.  Max looked like a GIANT compared to him!  He was a little peanut!  

Father's Day, Dad's visit, First time in Bumbo Chair

Father's Day, Dad's visit, First time in Bumbo Chair

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stress

Max 3 months

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I must say that Max is settling into life nicely (finally!) He's sleeping in his crib, but still sleeping on bodies for naps. Other areas of our lives stink! Lynn and Lou's mom both have breast cancer. Lynn started chemo last week. Lou's mom is having a lumpectomy, then most likely radiation. Lou's starting his second year as a resident tomorrow! Yah!

We still have our condo on the market in Philly and are no longer making payments. Never a dull moment...I guess that's life! My dad, is coming on Monday for a visit, so that will be wonderful!!!
Ciao,
Shelley and family

From Max 12 weeks

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There's not that much to report on the Max front.  He's growing in length and is getting A fat roll on his leg!  We're so excited about Popa's visit in a few weeks (my dad- Alan), then Grammy and Poppy's visit (my mom- Marjorie and stepfather- Issi) in July.  Then, Max and I are off to Chattanooga the first week in August!  We can't wait for Max to meet his great-grandparents!  

Lou is ALMOST finished with his intern year!  Yah!!!  It's been a very hard year, for both of us. I'm back working at New Haven Reads, which is absolutely perfect for me right now.  I am so grateful that I can work there and hang out with Max too.  

Please check on my stepmother's blog for updates: www.lynnhoward.blogspot.com

Please check on Mama and Papa's blog for updates on Papa's health: www.emilyandgene.blogspot.com

Love,

Shelley (and Lou and Max)

  

week 10

From Max_week_10

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Erin and Missy's visit

Erin and Missy's visit

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Erin and Missy visited us this weekend.  What a great time we had!  Games of scrabble, raw balls, and ICEE pops all made my stomach hurt with laughs!  Erin gave Max two baths and he didn't scream as badly (with the heater on--ala SAUNA conditions).  We shopped all day Friday, then had all you can eat sushi!  YUM!  And NO, I don't eat eel or lobster or imitation crab--STILL.  Saturday we were bums, correction, I was a bum while Erin and Missy took Max for a long walk.  Then we ran errands while Max hung out with his dad.  They left today with a trip to the Hartford airport.  Max slept from 11-2:45 in the car, then ate, and slept some more!!!  WOW!  Thank you guys soooo much for coming to visit!!!

Emergency Room Adventures

Visit with Mia, Lena, and Leah

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Aunt Mia, Lena, and Leah came over this morning for a lovely brunch, then we went to the park.  Lena and I played while Mia held Max.  We had so much fun playing in the sand, ok, fine--Lena was playing in the sand and I watched.  When we returned Lena ate Mac N' Cheese and I took Max's temperature (he had a 100.3 and 100.3 last night, but was normal this morning) and it was 101.2!!!  I called the pediatrician on call and he recommended going to the ER since Max is so little.  Of course when when we got there, he had no fever.  Lou didn't seem worried, but I was, so off we went.  We went back right away and to make a long story short he didn't have a fever the whole time.  After being stuck three times for a blood draw, a catheter, and a bag to collect pee--we're told it's probably just a virus!  The staff was fabulous, and I was glad that we went!

We came home to a tidy house- courtesy of my fabulous friends!  Thank you MIA AND LEAH!!!!  They even washed dishes!    

My first mother's day!

From First Mother's Day

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Today we celebrated my first mother's day. Lou was post-call, and not available to celebrate since he needed to sleep after being up all night! Lou was so sweet and sent me tulips yesterday! My favorite! He gave my mom a card for me from Max to give me in the morning, since he wouldn't be here. It was ooey, gooey, mushy--just as I like it! It's been a wonderful mother's day, celebrating with my son and my mom! We had brunch at Ali's with her and her mom. The frittata and pancake rocked!  

I worked most of last week at New Haven Reads. It was great to have mom and issi taking care of Max while I worked. I definitely appreciated my time with him more, when I'm not with him 24 hours a day.  

Thanks for all the mother's day wishes!!!

Max's fifth and sixth weeks

From Last Import

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Max is settling into life more now, therefore making for a happier mommy!  My mom was here last week and Aunt Carol and Uncle Mike came back also.  It was so wonderful to have extra hands with Max.  Who knew that an infant takes several adults (rather a village...) to raise!  

He's growing leaps and bounds and is on yet another new formula.  His stomach seemed to bothering him immensely and Mylicon wasn't helping.  We're staying on this one--he's much happier and sleeps better.

Max's fourth week

From Max's fourth week

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I'm not sure if I mentioned this before or not, but I'm calling motherhood wonderfully overwhelming!  Last week Max was sleeping horribly and I was getting little or no sleep. I called my mom and asked her to return. Thank goodness she's semi-retired!  She came back this Tuesday and is staying until next Thursday.  I take him at night and she lets me sleep in the mornings.  I feel so much better and more rested!  

Aunt Carol and Uncle Mike (mom's sister and brother-in-law) came in last week and shared in some Max time, which also allowed me to sleep some!  yah!  They are back this week to see mom and eat delicious New Haven pizza.  In-between their visits, Laura came!  I picked her up last Saturday in Hartford while Lou had Max in White Plains seeing his mom.  While I enjoyed my time away from him, I felt torn--I should want to be with him all the time?!  Ridiculous.  I still need me time and Lou and I need time together also.  So many mommies forgo and forget about themselves, which I can see is very easy.  It's hard, but I'm finding my way through!

Tuesday night is book club and I'm going without Max and not feeling guilty.  I didn't even read the book!  I just need time away!  Since Max is having problems sleeping and going back to sleep, I've invested in all kinds of books I devour in the wee hours of the morning.  

This is sounding a bit negative.  Don't get me wrong, I love being a mommy, but there's no time off or time to just sit and listen to the silence.  Max is an absolute joy and I'm so happy we decided it was time to have a baby.  He's starting to smile and is about to outgrow the newborn diapers!  He's already outgrown newborn clothes!  It's amazing how much he changes.  

Watching Lou with Max is such fun.  I knew he would be a great dad, but I didn't know how fabulous!  Max loves it when his daddy walks in the door (as do I!).  It's so fun to watch him bond with Max like no other.  I just didn't know how incredible it would be to watch other people with him and love him!

Thanks for all the well wishes and sleepy thoughts.  

Love,

Shelley (and Lou and Max)  

Max's third week

From Recently Updated

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I will post pictures later. So, Max has been trying his parents patience since Thursday night. He hasn't been sleeping so great and cries when he's put down. We switched his formula to soy on Sunday, so we'll see how that goes. Last night Lou was nice enough to give me a break for 30 min. and took him in his screaming fit from 11-1. Lou's on call tonight, so that means no sleep for him at all!  He fell asleep on my chest and I moved him to our bed, where he slept like a champ!  If that's the solution, then so be it!  Maybe the crib and swing are scary places for the babe.  

I took Max to the pediatrician today to make sure nothing was wrong.  He's very healthy and weighs in at 9 lbs!!!  I'm feeling much better today.  Rachel and her family came over yesterday and I napped.  Today Tanya was nice enough to come over and relieve me for a bit.  Thank goodness for good friends!  

Aunt Carol and Uncle Mike are coming on Thurs. to help celebrate Passover and staying until Saturday.  Then, Laura comes!  Mom is coming Tuesday as Laura leaves.  I'm feeling much better with all this support coming in and just wonder how moms do this alone.  I know women have been having babies for thousands of years, but this is really hard!  Someone asked me if m 20 years of babysitting prepared me for motherhood, my answer was a resounding, "NO!"  

Nothing prepares you for motherhood.  I'm calling it wonderfully overwhelming.  There's this person who relies on you for everything.  No breaks, no time outs, nothing!  Then there's the hormones that are wack-o from being preggo.  Sometimes I'm just overwhelmed with emotions...mostly positive ones, but sometimes it's overwhelming!  

I love hearing everyone's suggestions and support.  It helps me get through the day and NIGHT!  Thanks!

Shelley 

Max's second week

From Max's second week

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We spent the day in Westchester today. Max met his "cousin" Lena and her family. We had a delicious brunch at the Davidson's and hung out there for a few hours. After that we went to Lou's mom's house and visited for a bit. She loved seeing her grandson and holding him in Whole Foods!

Max is growing like crazy! We went to the pediatrician yesterday and Max is now 7.75 lbs and grew .25 of an inch. He goes back at 2 months and is fabulous! More later...holding required.

Max's bris

From Max's bris

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In the last week, Max has changed his animal noises to sound less goat-like and more sheep-like. He sounds like a different animal everyday! It's so fun to see him change daily. Lou has been home all week and I'm totally dreading being alone next week. I go back to the doctor on Monday and hopefully will be able to drive after that. We had a photographer come last Saturday and her pictures are at the link below.

http://erinbellphotography.com/Stein/

Max_1

Max_1

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Here's a shortened version of our birth story. The pitocin drip is immediately stopped and we need a new plan of action. Janet, the midwife, tells us that the baby needs to come out. She quickly goes and talks to my OB who wants to do a C-section IMMEDIATELY. While this was not an urgent situation, his heartbeat did return to normal, there was absolutely NO thinking involved on our part, which was fine because I didn’t have time to worry. Allie and Ryan made a hasty exit and wished us luck. Not two minutes went by and I signed the consent forms while they were telling me what to expect in the OR while wheeling me there. I didn’t really want a C, but I wasn’t willing to risk Paco’s life and didn’t think the iron cervix would open, so this was it. Jump into the diving pool, STAT!

Lou goes and changes while they prep me for surgery. Two anesthesia residents and an anesthesiologist tell me what’s going to happen play by play. The OR is freezing cold and I’m shivering and shaking, which in part might be due to being scared. They give me warm blankets, even though it’s only for a few minutes…Instead of an epidural, I get a spinal, which does into a different layer of your spinal cord. Essentially painless, just a pinch, I start to feel numb. Was I not just talking to Ryan about some patient of his that day like 5 minutes ago? Now I can’t feel my legs and it’s just surreal. “Can you feel this? This? This? “ the female anesthesia resident asks. I feel nothing from my boobs up! I started to feel nauseous and told them, then I had indigestion.

They wafted an alcohol pad under my nose, which helped. I wanted to know where Lou was and they assured me that he could come in as soon as I was draped and ready. He joined me at my head and they joked about having the curtain high so he couldn’t watch and criticize. He sneaked a few peeks, but was mostly just checking in on me. I couldn’t feel a thing, not even pulling when they said that I would (which I was so happy about!). A few minutes later, Max was screaming his head off. Evidently he was swimming in meconium (newborn poop), which can make a baby septic.

Lou gets to hold him after they clean him up and the three of us have an amazing time behind the curtain while they sew me back up. While I so wanted to have a vaginal delivery for a speedier recovery, I know that this is what was best for the health of our child. We thought I was headed for a C-section Saturday morning when my cervix was still undilated. We both agreed that we would rather go ahead and do it than risk Max at all.

Max was born at 4:04 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, weighing in at 6 pounds, 14 ounces and 21 inches long. It took longer to close than it did for him to be born. While Lou, Max, and I were hanging out (I literally was since I was filleted open) we majorly bonded and continued to do so in the recovery area. I put him on me for some skin-to-skin contact. He felt so amazing with super soft skin and downy  hair.

I tried to upload a video without success.
Love,
Shelley, Lou, and Max

40 weeks

Well, technically my due date is tomorrow, March 5.  It would be fun for Paco to share a birthday with Spencer (Erin's 2 year old), but I just think he's happy inside.  I go back to the doctor on Tuesday for a stress test (for him), ultrasound, and fluid check.  I must say this waiting is for the PITS!!!

Paco update

Well, Paco is at zero station in my pelvis now (he was too low for her to reach my cervix--I'm not sure what that means). So, that's good that he's already dropped. The midwife thinks he's about 6-6 lbs, so no giant baby for us! (Thank goodness)

Mia's 30th and NY baby shower

Mia's 30th/NY shower

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Lou and I had a wonderful time celebrating Mia's 30th surprise birthday this weekend in White Plains at Sam's.  Josh (Mia's husband) planned an amazing menu!  YUM!  Leah did a great job with the invitations (William Arthur).  Jen had M and M's made for Mia in purple that said, "Happy 30th Mia."  I compiled a scrapbook from people's pages who sent them in, which was completely FULL!

Today was my second shower!!!  Leah, Carol (Mia's mom) and Mia were fabulous hosts.  I was looking forward to lox all week and was not disappointed!  It was so fun getting more loot for Paco and visiting with people who I haven't seen in awhile...

Thanks to Leah, Mia, Carol, Maryanne, Matthew, Marcie, Aunt Mary, Michelle, Jen, Becky, Ellen, Katie Jane, Chris, Tanya, Rachel, Tristan, Maryn, and Allie for coming!!!  If I forgot anyone, please forgive my pregnant brain.  

My dad and Lynn's dog, Suni, is very sick.  She isn't eating and the vet says they can't find anything wrong.  She is pretty elderly and outlook is grim.  :(  She's a very sweet dog.  

I can't end on a sad note, so Paco (NOT HIS REAL NAME!) is totally kicking as I write this.  Maybe he was excited to see his Uncle Carl today and Nana Carol also today...or maybe he's glad I'm in my P.J.s!   

35 weeks and counting...

35 weeks and counting!  I know I will be sad once Paco (nickname) is born, but right now I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable.  My lower pack on the left has started to hurt all the time and I'm such a crab!  

I'm so excited about my shower in White Plains hosted by Mia, Leah, and Carol (Mia's mom)!!!  Every day we get new baby stuff from UPS (poor delivery guy) that people send us!  It's so exciting!  

I went to the doctor on Thursday and everything looks good.  He's measuring right on target, unlike 2 weeks before when he was measuring small.  Now I go back every week!  My big question was, "Can I take 2 Pepcid AC pills at night?"  Luckily the answer is yes!  I've been sleeping better ever since. No questions about labor or anything...I'm in denial.     

No new pictures.  Nothing exciting going on here, except snow snow snow!  Argh!  I'll put up a new post after my shower next weekend. 

34 weeks

From February 2009

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I spent the morning at the Norwalk Aquarium with Mia and Lena.  She's so cute.  She's talking up a storm at and lunch said to me, "Selly juice?" because she wanted to have some of my drink.  So cute!  She ate a cookie and was so excited about it.  Lena tried to sing, "C is for cookie..." and it was pretty close!

The previous pictures are from Leah's visit a few weeks ago.  We discovered that the "Blue Tulip" was going out of business and spent several hours in there.  Luckily for me, Leah was willing to indulge my stationery problem.

The cute baby boy is Tristan, Rachel and Parfait's son.  I must say that pictures do him no justice.  He's such an adorable baby!  

Well, at 34 weeks, my uterus is pressing on my rib cage.  He has completely taken over my entire torso!  I go back to the doctor/midwife on Weds. and then go back every week!  Time is closing in...All his clothes are washed and put away and we do have diapers.  I'd like to say we're ready, but are you ever ready to have a child? 

Paco/Frankie update

So, I went to the midwife today and I've gained a total of 19 lbs.  I'm at 33 weeks tomorrow (Thurs., Jan. 15).  She measured me and I'm 30 cm.  She said that I should be within 2 cm of how many weeks I am, so I'm measuring a little small.  

I go back in 2 weeks and if he's still measuring small, then I'll have another ultrasound to measure him.  Honestly, since Lou's such a big guy, I'm secretly relieved that he's not huge!!!  

We now see Paco moving around a lot.  His heartbeat is totally normal at 155 bpm.  His legs are on the left side of my belly and you can see his limbs like in "Alien"!!!  It's just subtle now, but he's super strong and I am always like, "did you see that"?  Lou keeps reading children's books to him with hilarious commentary! 

Work is still great.  Lou is on night float this month and I only see him in the mornings, which stinks.  He has a corneal abrasion (bruise on his eye) and is not the greatest patient!  

shower and more

shower, etc...

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I had a great time at my shower in Chattanooga!