Nov 19, 2007

Not Again!

Oh no...not again! The flu shot, that is. The first time someone gets the flu shot they have to get a half dose and wait thirty days before getting the 2nd half. So, our poor baby had to do it the second time today. And he let us know he was none too happy about it. The first time he barely noticed, but today was a different story. Let me set the scene...it was 4 p.m., approximately an hour and a half past his nap time. While waiting for his dad to get done teaching and "hook us up" he had visited some 20 different stranger friends of his mom's throughout multiple floors of the hospital. He must have known something was up because he put on his shy-show and turned his head so he could only peek at people through his peripheral vision...very few smiles were dished out. Then just before the deed was done he tried to eat, but was so distracted by the odd hospital artwork that he just couldn't...so, he was also well past snack time. And then he got the dreaded shot and cried like we've never seen him cry before. Big fat tears flowed immediately and he was crying so hard he couldn't catch his breath. It was horrible! If I didn't know it was for his health we'd never do another shot again. In fact, for the weaker among us, I can see why some parents refuse immunizations for their children...does it really have anything to do with safety concerns or did they see a sibling, or a friend's child go through the ordeal and just not want to see their own child in such agony? It is almost understandable. But, our baby is a survivor, already. He whined the rest of the night, which warranted a full showing of Baby Einstein, his favorite foods (tainted with motrin), all the water he wanted, a long bath, and an early bedtime. Three more shot-free months up next.

Nov 18, 2007

Dallas Trip




Another successful trip...this time not by plane though. Instead he made the 5-hour pilgrimage to accompany his Dad to his annual Asthma and Allergy Conference in Dallas. Grandma and Grandad Anderson flew in the same day to meet us. It was a great week for them to get to catch up on all his advancements, to include clapping and waving. He claps when he is happy, when you come to pick him up, when he is proud of himself, when he wants your attention, and also when you are trying to show him something new and he just isn't getting it. He immediately goes into a clap to make sure you remember that he has skills. Waving he still has to think about. He waves backwards mostly, so that he can watch himself do it. Anyway...back to Dallas. We stayed at a fancy-smancy hotel and ate $18 breakfast (only once though). The town, which was actually a suburb called Grapevine, was very nice. I told James I wouldn't mind going back someday when my pockets were lined in cash, as they had lots of fun, unique items. We mostly walked the downtown area, visited the mall, walked the hotel grounds, ate incredibly fattening foods, visited, and indulged in baby fun. James has the ability to illicit the best baby smiles. He "crashes" Luke regularly and then he has some sophisticated tongue-sticking-out moves that Luke is constantly trying to imitate. Otis also got his first baby laugh last night, although he was not working for it. Actually, Luke let out a little giggle as Otis tried to escape from his grasp...again.

Halloween


Luke's first Halloween was a success...I'm just a little slow about getting around to writing about it. In this neighborhood it is not uncommon for folks to sit in the driveway and pass out their candy from there...which is what we opted to do. Unfortunately all the cute Halloween costumes that Grandma Hurst sent our way were too small by Halloween night. So, instead he wore a Halloween sleeper, also provided by Grandma Hurst before he was born. James made the back of his pickup a play land and got the candy positioned. We proceeded out just before dark and quickly found out that Luke was not interested in playing. He was a little apprehensive, so mostly sat in my lap all night long...which, of course, I never complain about. He wasn't fussy...in fact, he smiled at the trick or treaters as they came by...just not ready to be let lose. This slight bit of wanting to hold on to mom in scary situations is one that I do not take for granted. I know it'll be too soon that he wants his independence and no matter how much longer we have...it'll not be welcomed by me :( I told him just today that no one could ask for a better baby...he's cute, down-right happy, and to top it off he's ours.