Day 146

I love his "Don't bug me!" look. 

Day 145

Day 144

Looking like a little ragamuffin

Just comparing...

Andrea reminded me that Maddie has a baby picture just like Zane's. 

Maddie at 7 months old (baby girl took 7 months to grow her hair as long as Zane's)

Zane at 4 months old

5/14 - Day 143 Whew!

Excuse the lingo on this post...but it is what it is.

After 7 or more days of not going #2, Zane finally had a blowout.  I was a bit worried he was getting intussusception (intestinal blockage), but my dad who is a doctor and Kevin assured me he was fine.  I, the skeptical daughter/wife had to check and research every cause of this non-poop.  I was making myself all worried about it, so I called his pediatrician, too, who recommended some apple juice -- that Zane did not care to have from a bottle.  We are on a non-bottle strike over here.  I found the following likely causes for this situation (that by the way is a FIRST for me):

Well, first, he is a fully-breastfed baby, and I had no idea, but I guess they could go without moving their bowels for more than a week (even 14 days) as long as they're happy and have no other signs like lethargy, crying or fussiness, bloated and/or distended bellies, vomiting, dehydration, fewer wet diapers, etc.

Second, they have intestinal blockage (I was scared it was this). Babies that get this have to be given some air enema of some sort to clear it, and sometimes even minor surgery if it is bad.  Eek. I am so glad it was not this!

Third, it may be linked to the rotavirus vaccine he got 3 weeks ago (not proven).   I found that within 10 days of being given the vaccine, infants have trouble moving their bowels, and of course, boys are 3 times as likely to get it than girls.  Supposedly the new rotavirus vaccine Rotateq (which is what Zane got on April 22) doesn't have this effect, but who knows?!

Fourth, I started rice cereal a week ago and it may have taken longer to digest.

Fifth, he started sleeping thru the night about 3 weeks ago and my milk supply was down, so he was digesting every bit of it, so there was no waste (this too I think had to do with it).

I was racking my brain to see what was up with him.  Anyway, long story short, when Allie picked him up from bed this morning, she said he smelled stinky.  And sure enough, he had a blowout and let me tell you, I was so glad to see that he had pooped!  Luckily his size 2 diaper caught most of it and it got only on his clothes.  Yay!  I am so glad he is healthy!

Day 142

Day 141

Day 141

Day 140 - 5/11

Just a good up close shot of this little guy's face

Mother's Day 2011

Kevin took this one of me and the kids. Sometimes I think I could have more of these girls and guys, but then I remember (vividly) my last 6 weeks of pregnancy and then I snap out of it.   I didn't get to see these kids' faces when they sang in Sacrament meeting, so that was a little disappointing (more for them too), but I assured them I heard their voices in the mother's room. And I got to see Miss Maddie get "spotlighted" in Primary (more on that in another post)!

Maddie and Collin helping me open my Mother's Day cards, Allie is the photographer.  Kevin and the kids had all my M-day surprises in the kitchen when I woke up, but leaving for church at 7:30 didn't give enough time for checking them out and  it was Fast Sunday too so NO breakfast this year.  So right after church the kids got all excited for me to open their cards.

I love the homemade cards and coupons!  The best coupon Allie gave me -- I mean who doesn't want "one week of FREE dinners"?

Kevin of course loathes picture taking, but what to do on Mother's Day? I told him if I died, he would be so sad he didn't take more photos with me.  And every time I say that, he says, "I'll die first".  Ha!

Then after...we all enjoyed good food for dinner - BBQ ribs, courtesy of my father in law's good cooking, twice-baked potatoes and macaroni, bbq beans and corn.  It was all good except sadly, for the chocolate-dipped strawberries that were old and yucky.  We had to throw most of it out.  But all in all a great meal!  We spent some time in a video-chat with Chad and Megan, and then later that night I called and talked to my mom, who spent the day by herself in Exuma, Bahamas (my dad happens to be in Long Island currently).  She'll just celebrate it with us when she comes visit again!

Kevin gave me this fun acrostic!  He does a lot to help at home.  I am spoiled in that he helps me get the kids up and ready, fed breakfast, and out the door EVERY Sunday, and not just on Mother's Day.  And every week this man does the laundry for me, and doesn't complain that it takes me ONE full week to iron his shirts for him.  I love him!

I love being a wife and mother -- and wouldn't trade it for any worldly acclaim.  This coming from one who was raised to think "career first" and dreamed of being a doctor for 18 years of her life.  I love what our Stake President said on Sunday, that the little things we do as mothers -- the things known only to us and our little ones ARE known to our Heavenly Father, and someday all will be revealed.  Our Bishop also shared the sweet and inspiring story of his sister who spent Mother's Day in the hospital (she has cancer) and didn't get to spend it with her 6 kids. Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she pointed out that the day before her kids had gone to the fair and won prizes (even a bike!), and remarked how lucky she is that the Savior is looking out for her family?  I love that "why not me?" attitude!

I am truly blessed with inspiring mothers all around me -- my sister and sisters-in-law, mother and mother-in-law, and friends who are great mothers, who do a lot of the little things that seem on many days, unimportant and plain.  On Mother's Day I couldn't help but feel gratitude for the scriptures -- I couldn't raise my kids without it and guidance from our prophet.  I hope that many years from now, it will be my privilege to say that the greatest thing I ever did was to be a wife and a mother.