DC Metro Mom

WANTED: 51 MORE MOMS WHO HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE

Waltie loves playing with these two specific toys.  It's a Sophie giraffe from France, and some Manhatten Toy beads (top picture).  He loves them!  He got them for his 1st birthday.  

By — MaryFrances Gonzalez, MA CCC-SLP

I am in complete shock that my littlest baby is 1 today!  I am in deep emotional disbelief.  It seems like just yesterday that he was being born.  I'll never forget that day.  I had been on bed rest for 2 weeks for high blood pressure.  I was at home, my mom was visiting and helping take care of the kids, Kenneth was at work.  I got a call from my obstetrician.  The actual doctor called.  Not the nurse.  It was important, I got that quickly.  He told me that my last blood work came back with elevated levels and they were going to have to do the c-section TODAY!!!  I couldn't believe it.  He asked if I had eaten anything and luckily I hadn't because he scheduled it right then, over the phone. The next thing I did was call Kenneth at work.  This would be the most unplanned birth that we have had. All the other kids were just walk into the hospital, sign up, wait at the triage, get a room, have the csection... None of this "OH MY Goodness, we're having a baby today! What???"  But, I have to admit it was fun.  We got ourselves together and proceeded to the hospital.  Even though he was only 36.5 weeks, I really hoped he wouldn't go to the NICU.  I was scared, excited, scared, and hopeful.  And scared, yes mostly scared.  They rushed us in pretty quickly and very soon, Walter had been born!  The first thing that I noticed was that he was a little blue.  My worst fear was coming true again.  There was going to be another NICU visit.  My next realization was that his toe was overlapping the others.  I don't know why I noticed that, but I did.  I honestly hoped it was just a temporary thing and happened because of his position in the belly.  I hate that I had that thought.  But, really, it was the beginning of bad thoughts for me.  Not too long after that we discovered that Walt had a genetic disorder.  He was missing part of his 4th chromosome.  While I wish he had that missing part (because it would make things easier for him), it's made him who he is today. One year later and I love his toe.  I love his pinky that won't bend.  I love his overbite smile.  I love his recessed jaw and small chin.  He is perfect.  God made him perfect for us. I am so blessed to be his mom.

Guest Blog by Tamara Tarasova

Walter is doing really well!  He is growing and growing, wearing size 18 month clothing!  He is still on his 28 calorie/ounce formula which is probably why he is gaining weight so well.  He is super tall, just like all my other kids were at this age. We recently had a swallow study done per the speech therapist's request.  We figured he may have some sort of structural issue which may explain why he's having trouble eating solid foods.  However, he does not.  It must just be sensory issues which is great because we can work on this problem!  The other thing we found out is that he was actually aspirating on his formula and nectar consistency.  We had no idea!!  Aspirating means that some of the liquid is going into his lungs and can really do damage to them.  We had to start thickening his formula to honey consistency using rice cereal.  He's doing ok with the change in food, he totally rolls with the punches.

He is still getting over a major illness which actually put him in the hospital for overnight fluids and observation.  He had pneumonia and a sinus infection.  Antibiotics have helped him, but he is still recovering.  Two days later we found out that he had developed a double ear infection WHILE taking antibiotics.  Whew!  When will it stop?  Seems that these 4q deletion kiddos have a harder time kicking illnesses. Prayers for him would be appreciated. 

He is now rolling over, sitting up, army crawling (or scooching as I call it), sitting up from a lying position, and getting to his belly from a sitting position carefully (instead of just falling over).  He will be 1 year old in a matter of days!  I can't believe how time has moved so quickly!  I can't remember not having Walt, it's like he's been with us forever! Happy Birthday little Walter.  We love you. 

“Crying it out Causes Brain Damage?” – Parental Urban Legend or Scientific Fact?

My long awaited bundle of joy has arrived and I could just squeal with excitement!!!! 

Its easy (and fun!) to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season with parties, shopping, decorations, and holiday shows.   But after the final packages have been unwrapped and the last cork has been popped its nice to reflect on all that we have to be thankful for and our hopes for the New Year.  And thats why "30 Lessons for Living: Tried and True Advice from the Wisest Americans,"  is the perfect New Years gift to yourself.  

The first Christmas with a new baby is a magical time, like experiencing the joy and wonder of the holiday season for the first time.  The second Christmas? Not so much.  Last Christmas, Miss L was 18 months old and Christmas was...exhausting! Twenty minutes into unwrapping presents she went all grouchy pants and had to take a nap. 

But this year, Christmas is magical again! Miss L didn't really understand what was going on first Christmas (she was only six months old!) or her second Christmas. But this year is different. Christmas trees, holiday lights, candles, songs, COOKIES! Miss L is all over it. And that makes me really, really, really excited. Nothing like a child to make something seem brand new again.

There is one problem, however. My idea of beautiful holiday decorations are green fir garlands and red velvet bows, maybe a few strings of white lights. Classic. Miss L does not share my opinion. To a two-year-old, the gaudier the better.

Becoming a new mom... it's an exciting time full of life-changing events. It's also a time full of challenges and sleep deprivation. Emotional wellness expert Dr. Janet Taylor has tips and advice that'll help women navigate the difficult days of early parenthood.

Today was a long day.  The middle kids had a field trip with their preschool and Amelia had a field trip in the afternoon with her Daisy troop.  This morning I woke up and took a shower so that I looked halfway decent.  I don't know how the other moms at this preschool do it, but they always look amazing.  Very intimidating.  So anyway, I had to wake up early to shower, then stop that routine so that I could get Amelia ready for school.  There were some forms and a note that had to be sent to her teacher today so I had to get that together.  After a quick breakfast (yet another thing that I feel guilty about- how do other moms make their kids a huge breakfast in the am?) Amelia left for school and I went upstairs to continue to get ready.  After that, Walter was awake and needed to eat.  He ate super slow today, or maybe I was anxious about getting to the school on time.  Didn't want them to leave us!  It was cold today so everyone required hats, coats, and mittens.  We went to the holiday concert with little man in tow.  They all did great and loved everything about it.  The high school orchestra puts on a great show with Christmas songs and characters!  They had Jessie and Woody, a prince and princess, a fairy, elves, Mickey and Minnie mouse, a banana, and even Santa! I had enough time to run to Chick fil A, grab lunch for everyone, then get back home in time for Georgia's speech teacher.  She is doing so well in speech!  Her therapist says she is completely done with the K and G sound, it's even in her spontaneous speech. They are beginning to work the th blend and even that is becoming easier for Georgia.  She loves her special time with Ms.Patty, it's been great for her.  Anyway, after therapy, we all took a little nap while we waited for Amelia to return from her field trip.  She went to the hidden pond with her Daisy troop and apparently touched a real snake!  Highlight of her day.  Then it was time to prepare dinner, wait for daddy to come home, and clean up our messes. 

When Kenneth came home, I decided that we all needed to go outside and put up a few decorations.  The kids bundled up and we got our supplies.  It ended up to be Kenneth putting the Christmas trees up in our front yard, and the kids riding the scooters.  Who doesn't love a little night scooter riding?  They had fun and burnt off a little steam.  It was a good day and night, but hard.

Let's get one thing straight. I'm not going to win the "Mom of the Year" award this year. Or next. Or probably ever. So I'm just going to put this out there, and hope that I don't regret typing it.