Auntie Audrey Strikes Again

Auntie Audrey has a history of taking great pictures of Rhys and she's now off to a great start with Lorelei.  Check it out!

It's pretty amazing that she was able to get this shot since she spent most of her visit being run ragged by Rhys.  That's pretty much been standard for all of our visitors...they come to "see Lorelei" which happens for about 30 seconds and then Rhys demands their attention.  It works out great for me and Brian as we get a bit of a break from his non-stop talking and questions.  That kid is high-energy! And that little Snuggle Bug above is sweet as can be.     

F*&#ing Disaster

We tried to take the side off of Rhys' crib.  I think you can tell from the title of this post how it went.  Here's the story.

A few weeks ago Rhys was kicking the side of his crib after we put him down for bed and so Brian went in there and "threatened" to take the side off.  Rhys' response?  "Ok."  Hmmm, that's not what we expected.  So Brian had to quickly backpedal on his threat...but not backpedal too far because, of course, at some point we do need to take the side off so we don't want Rhys to think of it as a terrible thing.  (I got to just listen to the whole conversation via the monitor - it was quite entertaining.)

After that evening, Rhys started asking for us to take the side off.  We told him we would do it in a few weeks and every few days we'd mention it and talk about it some more.  So, this past Sunday (my birthday, of all days) we did it. Rhys was super gung-ho about it until Brian actually did the deed.  As soon as Rhys saw with his own eyes what "taking the side off the crib" actually meant, he erupted into a massive and intense meltdown.  We tried to calm him down and convince him to at least get in  and try it out but it was futile.  So, we put the side back on.  And, then?  He had an even bigger meltdown/tantrum and started asking us to take it off again.  What?!  So, foolishly, we took it back off.  And?  Yep, you guessed it.  More tantrum and tears.  WTF.  So, we put it back on.  Of course at this point the kid was just beyond upset and nothing we did would calm him down.  It was awful.  I ended up taking Lorelei out for a walk and when I came home I could hear him still screaming from outside.  Oh my.  It was a really terrible way to end my birthday.

So, for now, our giant 2.5 year old will remain in his crib.  I have no idea how we're going to transition him to a real bed.  I think we might just have to buy him a car bed or something cool like that and get rid of any semblance of the crib at all.  Who knows.

Virtual Greetings and Lorelei Update

August is a busy month for birthdays and anniversaries.  Normally, I'm pretty good about sending cards (if I do say so myself).  This year, I did not send one card.  I've been too busy worrying about Lorelei and trying to be patient with Rhys to do much else.  So, here are some electronic well wishes:

Happy Birthday, Erica!  I hope you enjoyed your chocolate. I look forward to celebrating with you in person someday...

Happy Anniversary, Alisha and Shane!  You two are a great couple and we love hanging out with you...speaking of which, just let us know when you're ready for us to come for an overnighter.  :)

Happy Birthday, Alisha!  I hope your day is filled with some peace and quiet (hahahahahha, I probably should wish for you something realistic).  You're a great friend and I appreciate you.

Happy Anniversary, Pa and Donna!  Seems like you two have been married forever, which is a good thing.  You two are a good yin and yang.

Happy Anniversary, Sara and Steve!  You two really have been married forever.  Congratulations!

And, now, a Lorelei update...

She has been a dream baby with one (big) exception.  She's got me stressed to the max because she's not gaining "enough" weight.  I knew her weight gain was on the low side as I've been weighing her periodically, but I was hoping it wasn't any cause for concern.  At her two-month check-up this past Friday the doctor said she dropped from the 50th percentile in weight to the 35th percentile, which is in fact a bit of a cause for concern.  Now, the doc wasn't overly concerned but of course I was sent into a stressed out tailspin.  Doc said just make sure to feed her at least every three hours during the day, let her sleep at night and come back in 4 weeks for a weight check.  I would *love* to be able to be so non-chalant about it!  But, you all know me...I have to DO something.

So, I spent the weekend with Dr. Google researching reasons she might be a reluctant eater.  I've determined she might have a little reflux and am now cutting dairy and caffeine from my diet to see if that helps.  (I *may* have had more than my fair share of pizza and chocolate in the last two months).  Seems like a good enough action, plan, right?  Nope, not for me.  

Instead, I also started questioning my milk supply and started drinking a lactation tea.  Basically overnight Lorelei turned into a fussy baby that had to be held most of the time.  Turns out the tea has an ingredient that can be really hard on a baby's tummy.  Ooops. Quit the tea yesterday and am (im)patiently waiting for it to get out of both our systems.

I also decided I should pump and bottle feed her as a supplement and to make *sure* she was getting some decent feedings.  Haha, Lorelei says.  Take your bottle and shove it.  She refused a bottle all weekend.  Just when I thought my stress levels couldn't get any higher that really shot them through the roof. 

I also decided to try and feed her every hour or two.  She and I are both really sick of seeing my boobs.  I think she thinks I'm crazy (which, of course, is true).  She's really not interested in eating that often, but I keep trying because seeing her eat is really the only thing that calms me down a bit. 

If at her next weight check she's still in the 35th percentile, then there's no problem.  If she's dropped again, then the doc will be more concerned.  Yikes.  Let's hope that's not the case.  I can't imagine what my action plan will look like then...

The good news is that Lorelei has no idea anything is wrong.  Other than the tea upsetting her, she's been an easygoing, happy, smiley little girl.  Those smiles really do keep me going.

This is her face when looking at Rhys.  "Is that crazy kid seriously my brother?"

"So, seriously, he's my brother?"

Mama, I'm almost bigger than that cat.  Doesn't that make you feel better?