Thin Down Thursday - Week 10

Well, I've been on a Thin Down Thursday hiatus.  This is not a good thing!  With family in town, I've let my weight loss goals fall to the wayside a bit.  I honestly have not been making the best choices and am afraid to step on the scale!  So, Thin Down Thursday is probably on hiatus until after Thanksgiving. I'm going to try to stay on plan and track.  That is the least I can do.  But for now, it is what it is.  This is short, but I didn't want everyone to think I'd given up.  I guess I've just been sitting on the bench wishing I was playing.  Time to get back in the game!

Giving Thanks

Every day I am thankful for my husband, but as we gear up for deployment I am reminded each day how much I love him, depend on him and need him.  Yes, I am a capable and independent young woman.  (Well, at least I still feel young most days!)  After all, I have lived on my own all over the world and supported myself.  I could do it again if life necessitated it.  Mind you, I have no desire too.  I love my husband.  I love being married.  I love motherhood.  All the ups and downs make life exciting.  Each challenge is worth conquering.  There is a reward smiling up at me every day.

Since the hubs will be gone for Thanksgiving this year, we decided to appreciate our time together and  do Thanksgiving early.  So last night was Thanksgiving at our house.  We had turkey, stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes and my "famous" (according to Cody) pumpkin pie.  Everything was delicious!  And, in the grand scheme of things, way too much food!  But it was nice to take a minute to enjoy our family.  To thank God for all that he has blessed us with.  It's not often enough in our every day lives that we take a moment to do that.  I appreciate Thanksgiving for forcing me to reflect on what I have and I'm glad I got an extra day where I looked around the table, at all my boys, and remembered that no matter how far apart we are, we are truly blessed.  Not everyone is as lucky as we are.  Not everyone is as loved as we are.

So, whether it be a minute or a day, I am thankful for every bit of time I have with my husband.  I am thankful that he gets to see our youngest grow and change as much as possible.  I am thankful that he can get up in the middle of the night with him.  I am thankful that he can wrestle with our oldest.  That he can help him with his math homework.  I am thankful for the laughter and love that fills our home every day, both when he's home and when he's away.  And I'm thankful for the two little men who remind me each and every day what an amazing man I am married to.

Vaccine Adventures!

Liam - Three Months

Yesterday our wee man turned three months.  Today we celebrated with shots!  I don't know how, but we are just starting his rounds of vaccines.  He was behind as he got hep B at his one month appointment and didn't have a two month appointment.  I assummed he'd get them yesterday at the doctor's office, however, due to some changes in NC state programs our small pediatrician's office doesn't have vaccines anymore, so we were sent to my favorite place, the Naval Hopsital, for them.  After a two hour wait Liam finally got his vaccines.  (Hence why the Naval Hospital is my favorite. ;) )

Originally I had planned on using Dr. Bob Sears' alternate vaccine schedule.  DH and I were both irritated by the two hour wait and he and the nurse talked me into getting the full round of two month shots.  That's six vaccines versus the two I had planned on him receiving today.  BIG MISTAKE!  Liam was not a happy camper.  He was inconsolable.  His legs were so swollen and red.  His thighs were the same size as his ankels, literally.  It was so sad.  A little Tylenol and a lot of rest and he seems to be a much happier baby.  Hopefully tomorrow he'll be back to normal.

Needless to say, there are a few things I learned from this experience.  First, trust your instincts.  Mommas know their babies and we should follow our heart when it comes to these matters.  Even if the hubby or the nurse thinks you're crazy!  I had decided on the alternate vaccine schedule and I will return to it.  No more than two shots at a time for Liam.  It's just what's best for our baby.  Second, give your little one a dose of Tylenol about an hour before the shots.  It really will help prevent the pain so that no matter how many shots they get, they'll hopefully be a little happier afterwards.

Of course, you should always consult your doctor and do what you think is best for your little one.  Like I said, trust your instincts.  Hindsight is 20/20, but I really wish I'd gone with my gut.  In the future, I'll listen to the advice, but this mommy will not be swayed from her decision.

**EDIT** Below is Dr. Sears' vaccine schedule:

Please use this list as a tool to disuss vaccinating with your pediatrician.

Dr. Sear's Alternative Vaccine Schedule

• 2 months: DTaP, Rotavirus
• 3 months*: Pc, HIB
• 4 months: DTaP, Rotavirus
• 5 months*: Pc, HIB
• 6 months: DTaP, Rotavirus
• 7 months*: Pc, HIB
• 9 months: Polio (IPV)
• 12 months: Mumps, Polio (IPV) 
• 15 months: Pc, HIB
• 18 months: DTaP, Chickenpox
• 2 years: Rubella, Polio (IPV)
• 2 1/2 years*: Hep B, Hep A (start Hep B at birth if any close relatives or caregivers have Hep B)
• 3 years: Hep B, Measles
• 3 1/2 years*: Hep B, Hep A
• 4 years: DTaP, Polio (IPV)
• 5 years: MMR
• 6 years: Chickenpox
• 12 years: Tdap, HPV
• 12 years, 2 months*: HPV
• 13 years: HPV, Meningococcal (once Meningococcal vaccine is approved for age 2, Dr. Sears will move it there and delay Hep B by 6 months)

Please note, they do not break up the MMR vaccine anymore so use your judgment when administering it.  

My Sick Wishlist

Today I'm sick.  I'm crabby and needy and sick.  And there are a host of things I want when sick.  Of course, I want to feel better, but here is a list of things that would help me feel better today:

1.  A quiet house - Ha!  Ok, we can all stop laughing now!  Let a woman dream!

2.  Someone to run and pick up everything I want - If only I had a personal assistant!

3.  A  nap - Ha!  Try that in a house full of boys!

4.  Diet gingerale - Because I'd rather save my sugar and calories for other things on the list.  See #5

5.  Donuts - I know they will not help my weight loss goal, but they sound fabulously delish right now!

6.  Chicken noodle soup - Comfort classic and we're fresh out

7.  Control of the clicker - Because cheesy chick flicks would be much better than syfy and action movies

8.  Tea - with milk and two equals. 

9.  Cozy PJs - Yep, I don't plan on getting out of them today

10.  Warm socks or slippers - Because cold feet get us nowhere!

I'd include a picture, but no one wants to see my sick self.  I've got a stuffy nose, a sore throat and a sty in my eye!  Here's to hoping my wishlist comes true and I'm better soon even if it doesn't!

Miscellany Monday

1)  Hiatus - So I've been on a bit of a hiatus this past week.  Life has been busy.  My hubby came home, my parents are in town and I have an infant.  Busy is a good thing, especially when I am blessed with time with family!  I guess the blog can wait!

2)  Dedication - We managed to sneak in a baby dedication yesterday!  I was so excited to get this in before the hubs deploys and while my parents were in town.  It was very special and Liam got his first Bible.  Thank you to First Baptist Jacksonville for accommodating us on a busy Sunday!

3) Harvey Mansion - We ate at the Harvey Mansion in New Bern last night.  Oh.  My.  Goodness.  So delish!!!!  I had a lamb shank ossu busso and it was A-MAZ-ING!  I highly recommend you check out this supposedly haunted spot and enjoy their fabulous cuisine!  It's a little pricey, but totally worth it!  (And they have an early bird menu till 6:30pm that you can save a little cash with if you're worried about the price!)

4)  Day Late and a Dollar Short - Yep, I'm posting on a Tuesday!  It's just that kind of week!  But I love my fussbucket and am thankful my parents are here to help!

Miscellany Monday

Happy Monday Everyone!

1)  Crazy day!  So today was just nuts!  Liam was fussy.  Very, very fussy.  And contrary to popular belief, I am not lying about this!  I know he's a happy baby, or at least appears so in my photos, but he isn't always that happy!  After all, who take photos of their babies screaming their heads off?  (I'll admit, I took one...)

2)  Cutest Knight & Dragon Ever!  Nuff said!

3)  Wine Lessons - She might kill me, but I'm featuring my friend Jennie in this post!  I love Jennie, but she had never opened a wine bottle before.  Oh, the shock and horror!  So, I deemed it my responsibility to teach her!  The kids watched "How To Train a Dragon" and the mommies had "mommy time" in the dining room.  It's always great to catch up with friends, but it's even better with a glass of wine!

Jennie's birthday wine ready for the tasting!

I taught her how to use the "ghetto" opener!

And now we can drink the wine!

4)  Eleven Weeks - Liam was 11 weeks on Sunday.  He was adorable in his "1st Boo" onsie.  What a pity he only gets to wear it once.  I still find it a little ironic that I have a child who can wear orange. ( I would look like a pumpkin if I did!)

5) Thumbsucker! Yep, it's official, Liam is a thumbsucker!  I hoped it wouldn't be, but far be it from my infant to listen to me.  I'm already looking for tips on how to break it!