Milking It

We got the word from the doctors that Amelia is OK to sleep as long as she likes. Right now they don't see anything wrong with her (legal disclaimer from the drs - not that there isn't something wrong, but just nothing they can note/find, they've done all they can think to test for and she's negative on all of it) and we no longer have to worry about when she last ate or setting the alarm for the middle of the night.

Of course, the day we get that is the first night she wakes up on her own at the time I would have had to wake her anyway. *sigh*

On the making milk front, I've been doing well (knock wood) and I hope to take her to a full year. Its very different this time and I have found it easier, especially because I know what to expect. I do have a trip in December that will take me away for an entire week - which I'm nervous about - so I hope that I can keep it up through that time and beyond.

Kieran has been very frustrating of late. He's not listening (not entirely out of the ordinary for a kid his age, but damn annoying), interrupts (much better on this front since we added the magnet on it), and generally just doesn't seem to have any concentration power. Last night I completely lost it with him. He put stickers on his wall. The reason this upset me is because for the past few weeks whenever he'd get stickers he'd ask to put them on his wall, on books, etc. and the response I gave him was "no, you can wear them or we can put them in (fill in the blank of more appropriate place here)".  When he proudly showed me the stickers, I lost my cool and SHOUTED at him.

He has never seen me so angry. He backed up across the room from me and refused to answer my question of "why did you do this when I've told you not to?". He said "Daddy didn't get mad." Which made me feel crappy, but I stuck to my guns. Sadly, he gave me the same answer I gave my own parents when asked why I had done something I knew I shouldn't have.

"I don't know."

ARRRGH. Mom, I am sorry. Dad, I am sorry. Dar, I am sorry. I know I must have said that a million times myself. In so many ways, Kieran is just like me. Stubborn, opinionated, able to get his way by being sweet (which he takes full advantage of), and a very caring individual. I love him and am frustrated by him all at the same time.

After I calmed down, I talked with him about why I was so angry. I told him he lost his 'show respect' magnet for the day. He understood and didn't seem to be upset. It's getting harder and harder to discipline him appropriately. Ken had a talk with him this morning about being frustrated with him and how he can help us. Hopefully, it will make a difference.

For now, we play the game of "how far can I push my parents". Kieran has been losing toys left and right. At least we're making room for Santa.

Some, but not all, of the numbers

Amelia had her four month checkup on Halloween and although shots are scary, she did very well and so far we have no adverse reactions. Developmentally she's on target and actually began to laugh for us on Halloween. It's more of a chuckle than a laugh right now, but it's adorable. I have her percentiles but not the hard numbers so here it goes:

Head circumference - below 5th percentile still (I think 15 inches, but won't swear to it)
Weight - not quite 12 lbs, 10th percentile
Height - 23 inches, I think - 25th percentile

She's gone down in all categories (percentile wise) but she's still growing and may bounce between specific curves for awhile. She began sleeping on her belly a few weeks ago. Actually, nearly a month ago she did it once and cried because she freaked herself out and didn't do it again for another two weeks. She started really rolling over while Ken was in New Mexico. Since she had the turn, we were finally able (last night) to collect a urine sample to (hopefully) finish up on her genetic testing. Should only take a few days to get the final results, but we'll see. This test may end being inconclusive as well and then there's a whole other set they might want us to do. Or they may say "heck with it, she's fine." Maybe that's just my wishful thinking.

Our naming ceremony was beautiful. We chose the Hebrew name "Shiri Ahava" which means lover of song or my song of love. She's named in honor of my grandfather who recently passed away. He loved music, always got this wonderful little smile on his face when listening to classical or opera. He also enjoyed it when I would recognize a piece he'd played for me before. Mia lives up to her new name by being enthralled by music.

We must publicly thank so many people for helping to make the ceremony a success - my dad, Dar, Uncle Gary, Aunt Joni, Wendy, Andy, Bob - you guys did so much work and the food was awesome. Ken's family for driving nearly 9 hours (one way!) to be there. And Kieran, for wishing "Love" for his sister.