Monday, May 14, 2007

Baby Power

Life with Simon is amazing. I forgot how sweet it is having a newborn. That baby smell, soft skin, downy hair. Simon has his serious, wise-old-man newborn expression as he stares solemnly at us with big dark eyes. We are all in love with him! The power a baby has! (Especially between the hours of 2-4am, which is the time of day when Simon is wide awake and has no interest in sleep.)

Simon's power extends beyond that. He has forced me to slow down. Although the house may be a mess, laundry is spilling out of hampers, and I don't want to even talk about my kitchen floor, Simon requires that I sit down many times during the day and nurse him. I have a book on each floor of the house, so whenever Simon wants to eat, I am ready to take my ten minutes of reading and relaxing and not feel guilty about it. After all, a baby has to eat! Doing a lot of sitting, though, has also forced me to not jump right in and scoop up Clare whenever she wants me to. She is usually content to sit next to me on the couch while I nurse Simon or play at the coffee table, but sometimes she gets restless and wants to be elsewhere. So I have been encouraging her to go where she wants to on her own. Which is something we do frequently, but now I really am not getting up and picking her up. And she knows it. And what do you know, Clare has started cruising! She is slow and tentative, but she will walk along the entire length of the coffee table now. She will turn around and pivot herself from the coffee table to grab onto the couch and take a few steps to the couch (then I do this oh-so-elegant one-armed hauling movement to get her up on the couch with me). She is starting to walk only holding onto one of my hands, since my other one is usually occupied. Her confidence is growing!

Clare was supposed to get her AFO's today, but they were not ready, so she has an appointment next week. Now that she is gaining confidence and realizing the power of walking, I am hoping she will take off with the help of her braces. Clare also has her sedated echocardiogram at the end of this week. I am very nervous about this echo. Her last sedated echo was in November. I have a nagging feeling that this echo may not be good news. It has been 14 months since Clare's last cath, and post-cath, her doctor predicted 6-12 months before she needed another one. Clare has proved that wrong! I am praying she continues to prove them wrong!

8 comments:

Nancy said...

Sounds like things are going well with Simon!

I will be thinking about you lots this week and hope all goes well with the cardiology appointment/echo.

((hugs))

Kerry said...

Simon's such a cutie - already looks so serious!

What's an AFO? Don't fret with Clare, I am betting she will do great this week at her appointment. That's so awesome she is cruising around! Just put a Krispy Kreme in the center of the room and watch her go! :)

Tell me when, and the Bradster and I will come up and visit :)

Anonymous said...

Well, it sure brings back very fond memories of my babies!! However, that is behind me now, and I simply enjoy hearing all tales from you! Enjoy every moment, and good luck to Miss Clare with her walking! You will be in our prayers next week, and we hope it is good news! Love to all, Aunt Joan

Ava's Grandma Kim said...

Simon is beautiful...such a serious young man. At least for a short while. And Clare...my what a big girl she is now! Isn't amazing how quickly they change when things start to "click"? Good luck with the cath. We will be with you in spirit.

Love, Kim

Lisa said...

Wow Clare looks so grown up!!! I am keeping my fingers crossed for the echo and that she is walking by the wedding...

Simon is very very cute....

Love ya,
Lisa

Amy said...

Awww, everything sounds so wonderful! Avery has already made some big changes in her SMOs so will Clare in her AFOs! (BTW, SMOS are different because they only come up to the ankle, not up the calf). Cruising is so great, I bet you are so proud. Good luck this week with the echo, keeping my fingers crossed.
XOXO
Amy

Anonymous said...

Simon is just beautiful! (Rule of thumb says boys can be beautiful until the age of 2.) And way to go Clare! Whew knew that Baby Simon would make Clare suddenly grow up and be such a big girl. I will be thinking about you and praying for you this week.

LOVE LOVE LOVE

Noel said...

Glad things are going well for your family!!

Hope things go well witht he cardio!!! we will keep our fingers crossed for you!!

Noel