Sunday, March 29, 2009
How to keep Keeghan busy...
Keeghan ate a really good dinner tonight. She was just sitting nicely eating in her highchair and I was getting some things done so I pulled some chocolate pudding out of the fridge and put a bit in a small cup...gave it to Keeghan with a spoon. It kept her happy for a good 15 minutes and here's what she ended up looking like
Friday, March 27, 2009
Who needs sleep?
That's become my motto these days. I'm not sure if it's not wanting Ma Ma to be away or teething or just being a baby but Keeghan seems to be waking up at least once a night these days. Some nights it's 15 minutes of once in a while whines, but some nights it's an hour and a half of wailing. I've tried the picking her up approach but as soon as she hits the crib again, the wailing starts and we don't go back to sleep any sooner. Given that, I've been pretty stuck to the going up to lay her down, pat her back, give her the "chewy", and tell her night night. I go up every 5-10 minutes while she's awake depending on the volume and sound of the cry...ie if she's just fussing I'll wait longer but if she's all out wailing I'll go up sooner. I hope this is the right thing to do. I guess I should be glad it's just once a night and not every hour on the hour or all night long. I know it could be worse and I hope I don't do anything to make it that way. We're working very hard at keeping a regular nap/bed schedule as I know from experience doing that makes a difference and I'm sure Keeghan needs consistency. I'm thinking our trip and my return to work right after that has had some effect on the whole situation. We're trying to adjust to getting up with Ba Ba three mornings a week and me being gone most of Sunday morning. Doug has the big kids to help out so if Keeghan is not loving him at the moment he does have some fall back but I think we all know how frustrating an un-happy toddler can be! I came home this morning to everyone saying they were very happy that I was home. Not really sure how I was the cure all, but whatever. Hopefully we'll get through this quickly...if you've got any ideas feel free to comment!!
On that note...it's a good thing Keeghan is damn cute....
Look...I can climb up the furniture!
And I know what the camera is for..."CHEESE!"
Worth the wait...says it all (well maybe not at 4am).
Mmmmmmmmmmm
And I know what the camera is for..."CHEESE!"
Worth the wait...says it all (well maybe not at 4am).
Mmmmmmmmmmm
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
People are amazing
And I don't necessarily mean that in a good way. One day last week I was out running an errand with Keeghan. The person checking us out took a look at Keeghan's hand and exclaimed, "What happened to her hand?!". I responded with, "She has lymphedema.". The person commented back that their thought was Keeghan had been stung by a bee or something. Ok, seriously? Her hand looks a bit like it's inflated...but isn't bruised or otherwise marked. Just tremendously swollen. Wouldn't you think if she'd been hurt it would be bruised, discolored, or hey...bandaged? And really, I don't mind questions, but don't be an idiot! Kids are obviously taken back by the swelling. I don't blame them. Her hand looks very odd when you're not used to it. I, personally, don't really notice anymore. It's just Keeghan. My typically response to a child who is hesitant about Keeghan's hand is to tell them it's ok to touch. It doesn't hurt her and it's just extra water in her body.
Then there are the medical professionals we've been dealing with. Who ask questions about her medical history. The conversation typically goes something like this...
Medical person, "How long has the swelling been noticeable?"
Me, "We have only had her 3 months. Her hand has been like that since before we got her."
Medical person, "So, since birth?"
Me, "Well, I don't know. We don't have medical records or pictures. The photos we have from when she was about 9 months old show the swelling."
Medical person, "What else do you know about her medical history?"
Me, "We don't have any information on that. She was in an orphanage. We do not have any medical records."
It goes on. It's frustrating. I often feel like saying "HELLO...she came from an orphanage in China. We got a baby, with the clothes on her back and not much else. I don't know if she has allergies or has had illnesses or whatever. I barely know whether or not she's happy never mind anything else." This morning I was filling out a form that wanted to know things like primary language...hmmm do I put Chinese or English?...and whether or not she's right handed. When this particular office called to schedule this appointment they asked if we had a preference of who to see and my snide response was "Keeghan is 19 months old so she doesn't much care and this is our first appointment, so I don't know." Just needed to vent my frustration with stupid stuff.
Then there are the medical professionals we've been dealing with. Who ask questions about her medical history. The conversation typically goes something like this...
Medical person, "How long has the swelling been noticeable?"
Me, "We have only had her 3 months. Her hand has been like that since before we got her."
Medical person, "So, since birth?"
Me, "Well, I don't know. We don't have medical records or pictures. The photos we have from when she was about 9 months old show the swelling."
Medical person, "What else do you know about her medical history?"
Me, "We don't have any information on that. She was in an orphanage. We do not have any medical records."
It goes on. It's frustrating. I often feel like saying "HELLO...she came from an orphanage in China. We got a baby, with the clothes on her back and not much else. I don't know if she has allergies or has had illnesses or whatever. I barely know whether or not she's happy never mind anything else." This morning I was filling out a form that wanted to know things like primary language...hmmm do I put Chinese or English?...and whether or not she's right handed. When this particular office called to schedule this appointment they asked if we had a preference of who to see and my snide response was "Keeghan is 19 months old so she doesn't much care and this is our first appointment, so I don't know." Just needed to vent my frustration with stupid stuff.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
3 Months...turning the attachment corner
Yesterday (3/17) made three months that Keeghan has been home with all of us. She seems to be thriving...has gained weight and grown a solid inch, is much more comfortable with all of us willingly giving hugs and kisses at bedtime and some other times as well, showing us that she's a toddler and throwing fits about being put in her carseat or stroller, looking for us when we are not around.
We seem to have turned an attachment corner. I am much more comfortable with leaving Keeghan to go to work or the gym and she seems more comfortable staying with Doug. I went back to to work last Friday. My schedule is set up so that Doug is home when I am not and I had been VERY anxious about going back to work. I think our week away helped Doug and Keeghan bond and me to see that she was ok with Doug. I was still nervous Friday morning but was home in an hour and a half and Keeghan was, of course, fine. Friday night was movie night at school and I was in charge so the girls were keeping Keeghan occupied for me. She was all good with not having to be right next to me but would yell "Ma Ma" when she needed to check in. Saturday morning I was on my way to the gym when I turned on my cell phone and got a text that I was supposed to be at work...HUH? I called and found out I'd accidentally been put on the schedule to count. I thought quickly and told the manger that if she put drawers out, I would be in after the gym and a quick shower to count for her. It was then, that I said that, without hesitation, that I realized I wasn't so stressed about leaving Keeghan with Doug to go to work. Don't get me wrong, I know he is perfectly capable of taking care of Keeghan...that's not it at all. It's just that I don't want Keeghan to EVER feel like I've left her, especially this soon, and things just feel like they've turned a corner as far as that goes. She actively looks for Ba Ba when he is not around and has taken to pointing at me and calling me Ma Ma as opposed to just yelling it in the hopes of getting what she wants. I can't put it into words...it just is. So, I'm back to working and feeling a bit more useful. Slowly, things are getting to that new normal.
We seem to have turned an attachment corner. I am much more comfortable with leaving Keeghan to go to work or the gym and she seems more comfortable staying with Doug. I went back to to work last Friday. My schedule is set up so that Doug is home when I am not and I had been VERY anxious about going back to work. I think our week away helped Doug and Keeghan bond and me to see that she was ok with Doug. I was still nervous Friday morning but was home in an hour and a half and Keeghan was, of course, fine. Friday night was movie night at school and I was in charge so the girls were keeping Keeghan occupied for me. She was all good with not having to be right next to me but would yell "Ma Ma" when she needed to check in. Saturday morning I was on my way to the gym when I turned on my cell phone and got a text that I was supposed to be at work...HUH? I called and found out I'd accidentally been put on the schedule to count. I thought quickly and told the manger that if she put drawers out, I would be in after the gym and a quick shower to count for her. It was then, that I said that, without hesitation, that I realized I wasn't so stressed about leaving Keeghan with Doug to go to work. Don't get me wrong, I know he is perfectly capable of taking care of Keeghan...that's not it at all. It's just that I don't want Keeghan to EVER feel like I've left her, especially this soon, and things just feel like they've turned a corner as far as that goes. She actively looks for Ba Ba when he is not around and has taken to pointing at me and calling me Ma Ma as opposed to just yelling it in the hopes of getting what she wants. I can't put it into words...it just is. So, I'm back to working and feeling a bit more useful. Slowly, things are getting to that new normal.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Pictures...in completely random order
This penguin was all good because Ma Ma was between him and Keeghan.
Checking out the sea lions
Sisters : )
Had to have a photo with Shamu!
Lovin' my dolphin.
Checking out the sea lions
Sisters : )
Had to have a photo with Shamu!
Lovin' my dolphin.
After the day at Aquatica
Keeghan clapping for herself after being brave enough to touch the water
Look, I'll touch the water!
What the heck is that stuff doing on my shoes?????
It's all good if that sand stays down there and I stay up here!
Keeghan clapping for herself after being brave enough to touch the water
Look, I'll touch the water!
What the heck is that stuff doing on my shoes?????
It's all good if that sand stays down there and I stay up here!
Kennedy and Keeghan checking out the dolphins at Aquatica
Chocolate face! We went to Downtown Disney to have ice cream at the Ghiradelli store and Keeghan plucked the chocolate square out of my sundae and ate it!
This was as close as we got to Disney..princess ears.
Carson doesn't look so happy, but the rest of them sure do.
All 6 of us with "Mu"
Chocolate face! We went to Downtown Disney to have ice cream at the Ghiradelli store and Keeghan plucked the chocolate square out of my sundae and ate it!
This was as close as we got to Disney..princess ears.
Carson doesn't look so happy, but the rest of them sure do.
All 6 of us with "Mu"
The Barenaked Ladies...now a band of 4
Keeghan and I...front row thanks to Ba Ba!
So stinking CUTE she is!!
Keeghan and Ba Ba watching a pet show.
Meeting Curious George and Ted (the man in the yellow hat)
Keeghan and I...front row thanks to Ba Ba!
So stinking CUTE she is!!
Keeghan and Ba Ba watching a pet show.
Meeting Curious George and Ted (the man in the yellow hat)
Meeting the Madagascar characters
At Universal
This is about as close as we'd get to the pool
Walking with Carson and Devon
Crashed in the stroller after a busy morning
At Universal
This is about as close as we'd get to the pool
Walking with Carson and Devon
Crashed in the stroller after a busy morning
Friday, March 13, 2009
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