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January 6, 2004
Hello Everyone!
H-o-w A-r-e Y-o-u?
Well, I have become one of those parents who spell. You know what I mean. “I need to go to the store to get some p-e-a-n-u-t b-u-t-t-e-r.” “Do you think Sam would like a b-u-b-b-le b-a-t-h?” Stuff like that. If I say a word that signifies one of Sam’s favorite things – well, I must satisfy that want or suffer the consequences of unending harassment! We have had to do this for the dogs when talking about t-r-e-a-t-s or w-a-l-k-s. But now I am having to spell for the kid. And anyone who reads my emails knows that spelling (without the aid of spell check) is FAR from my forte!
Food Envy
I have always had food issues. For as long as I can remember. First let me start out by saying how much I LOVE food. I love all sorts or foods – I take great pleasure in cooking. I cook a hot, fresh meal every day of the week. Occasionally I’ll freeze something and on even more rare occasions – we’ll eat out. But making supper is one of the highlights of my day.
But I eat too much. Anytime I bring a food diary to a dietician they are impressed that I eat so healthily. My junk food is all homemade (except the occasional popcorn, but even that I do the old fashioned way on the stove!). So why am I not a thin person? Mostly because of portion control. I know envy is not a positive personality trait but I have been thinking a lot about what I envy in other people. Wealth? A tad, but not really. Fertility? OK – yeah, I envy that!!! But what I really envy is a svelte body. I envy those who can eat all they want and still be thin. I envy those who have the discipline to eat properly and work out to stay healthy and in shape. But this is a really dumb thing to envy because it is in my control to weigh less. I can’t be rich or fertile but I could eat less food – I could work out. But I have become so darn sedentary.
Ok is this topic going anywhere? Well, basically I am really unhappy with the way I look these days. I need to lose at least 15 lbs to feel good about my body. No this does not make me obese – but it makes me, oh, I don’t know – pleasantly plump? And by losing 15 lbs I will not be thin. I love food WAY too much and I know I would have to give up way too much for that – and it quite frankly is not worth it to me. So why don’t I DO something. Well, there’s the TTC factor and my dr. saying “don’t cut calories when you’re TTC – you have a history of pre-term labour.” But there is something I can do. I can exercise. So why don’t I? I don’t get it. I have a full gym at work and an hour lunch. No excuse. My New Year’s resolution was to exercise. Well I have been back at work two days and have found excuses not to exercise at lunch time. HELP! Any suggestions to help me get motivated and get in shape? As it stands now I will have a harder pregnancy as I have no back strength and no stamina. Or am I doomed to a life of body image envy??
Passed down from generation to generation
So the REALY point of this food commentary is to say that I hope I don’t make Sam into a culinary basket case. But I literally obsess over what this kid eats. For the first year of his life his lack of interest in food/drink was the bane of my existence. Then for the next six months he ate anything and everything. Dinners were such a pleasure. With a couple of exceptions he ate what we ate. Then he got sick in November and it’s all gone to hell in a handbasket. He basically stopped eating. His repertoire is insanely small these days. Maybe, and I mean maybe, he will eat the following: spaghetti, minestrone, chicken with rice soup, mini muffins, yogurt, oranges, oatmeal and peanut butter. And even these can be a challenge. He got sick again on the holidays (more on that later) and stopped eating all together for a week. He is losing weight and it freaks me out! He weighs 23 lbs now and he’s almost two. My friends help to calm me down, but I really am not enjoying this.
To top it off, he will not eat at daycare. At all. Yesterday when I went to pick him up the daycare worker said I should bring him to the dr. as he hasn’t eaten any of the lunches in the three months he’s been there and she’s convinced he’s underweight. Thanks for playing into my paranoia!! I don’t understand why he won’t eat at all. I don’t think he’s unhappy there – he sleeps and plays and it is a challenge to get him to leave at the end of the day. Maybe it’s the crowd? It’s a Jewish daycare and they eat Kosher so maybe he just doesn’t like the different food (who would like Tofu hotdogs ewwww!!) I don’t know – why is food such a big deal? And instead of worrying about him being too big – I worry about him being too small. I guess we all have to find something to worry aboutJ
Ears, Ears, Ears
In November Sam had an ear infection. Three weeks later he had another one. Personally I just don’t think the drug worked. Then two days after Christmas he started getting a fever and a few days after that we brought him in – this time his double ear infection was severe. They said that since he’s had so many ear infections since last February it’s time to see an Ear, Nose and Throat Dr. and to talk tubes. I am a tad freaked out about this. I mean, does he really need them? Can they cause other problems? What can I do to prevent ear infections? My friend told me the story of her daughter’s tubes and it relieved my worries somewhat. But I still hope they can find a non-surgical solution.
Because his infection was so severe this time they gave him a double dose of antibiotics. OK – not so good! He had a TERRIBLE reaction to it and we were in the ER with him until 4 am on New Year’s Eve. Fun, fun. Then we had to go back to the clinic to make sure he had an OK reaction to the new one. And of course this new one tastes terrible so he’s only getting maybe half force fed to him – he spits the rest out. And since he’s not eating we can’t mix it in anything he’ll eat. More fun! Tomorrow is his last day – I just hope the amount he’s ingesting is enough to do the job.
Happy Holidays
We had a terrific Christmas. Sam was so happy he was practically vibrating. He didn’t know what Christmas was all about, all he knew was that it was fun. He loved having my parents’ dog to add to our two – he had more fun with the dogs than with my parents. Although he adores my parents. He was just so excited. On Christmas day we incorporated my family tradition of the dad (now DH!) going downstairs to make sure Santa came (and turning on the lights) then we come downstairs hand in hand to see our Christmas surprises. Everything turned out great. Even supper.
I’ve updated Sam’s website with Christmas photos. Enjoy!
http://www.babiesonline.com/babies/s/sirsam/
All the best,
Jenn and Sam
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