A Stand-Up Guy

There are many pitfalls to having one's child in daycare. Frequent illnesses? Check. Hectic mornings? Check. Missing the little fella and feeling guilty when you don't (sorry if I don't feel a hole in my life everytime I realize someone else is changing his diaper...)? Check and check.

Then, of course, there's the ever-present chance that you're going to miss a milestone in your child's development.

As of Tuesday, check.

I know pulling to standing isn't the biggest deal, but it's one I really looked forward to, as I've always found it hard to believe that Anthony -- who has been fully horizontal for eight months, not even showing that much interest in sitting -- would one day go vertical. On Tuesday, his teachers told me that after both naps (taking two naps at daycare is in itself a major milestone for Anthony, but I digress) the little guy pulled himself up in his Pack-n-Play and stood there, enjoying the view and probably scheming as to which toy he'd play with next.

While I was sad to miss Anthony's First Stand, he did kindly demonstrate for me a day later, first in his crib (he even grabbed a book that was sitting on his adjacent changing table that he's never once been changed on) and then downstairs (for the camera) on the laundry basket.

Here he goes:

Incidentally, this is the most time a male member of the Josephsen household has spent with the laundry in MONTHS. (Just kidding.) ((Actually, not really, but Brandon does cook 99 percent of the food that is consumed in our household, so I really can't complain.)) (((Too much.)))

What we're up to these days

a.k.a cleaning out our video camera and camera, something we're too busy (by which I mean lazy) to do on a regular basis...

The many faces of Anthony...


Anthony has a bounce in his step these days, so we can still confine him for significant periods of time in what someone (I can't remember who, or I'd give credit where credit is due) called the "ignore-a-saucer."

The early stages of pulling himself up have begun. Oh boy.

With this newfound skill, Anthony can get more places he isn't supposed to go, like under the coffee table. The decorative bins that were once filled with magazines, remote controls and pens are now filled with cloth blocks and selections like "Snuggle Puppy" and "The Itchy Elephant." It's my early, and I admit rather pathetic, attempt at baby-proofing.

Aunt Kerry is right...Anthony has an amazing knack for scaring off Javier. But apparently Anthony's feelings aren't easily hurt, as he keeps on coming back for more. Here he goes on one of his fruitless chases...

Here it is from poor Javy's viewpoint...

And here's a video of the whole endeavor...

Here's a kinda old video. Mealtime used to be this much of an ordeal...(I can't take credit for the extremely appropriate background music in the video; that's just what was playing. I know, we listen to some cool tunes in the Josephsen household)

Now, meals go much better, as Anthony can enjoy a few finger foods...

While he knows that makes him quite mature, he still loves a good old-fashioned bottle...of course, as a grown-up, he prefers to serve himself...

Ummm...wrong way, buddy...

That's just a little of what we've been up to. Next week, we take our show on the road to Illinois, in the process inflicting our child on an airplane full of innocent people. Can't wait to see family, and for the only time in my life, I'm almost hoping there's snow on the ground back home so we can give Anthony his first glimpse of real winter.

We'll see how it goes! In any case, Anthony is doing well -- back in good health and back to day care (which of course means the whole good health thing probably won't last long). He's also managed to regain all the weight -- and more -- that he lost when he was sick. He's up to over 19 lbs., which means he gained about two pounds in less than two weeks.

I thought I was the only member of the family capable of doing that!

Anthony is 8 months old today!

Even though month eight was a rough one for our little guy, he really does seem to have grown up quite a bit. He's "talking" more than ever, and loves to mimic our sounds and actions. And now that he has his strength back, he's getting more coordinated in terms of scooting around and trying to pull himself up (this has only resulted in one bonk on the head so far...)

Here are some pictures:

Anthony wanted to hold his bear, not sit next to him, this month.

Although you wouldn't know it from this expression that Anthony flashed at breakfast time today, the boy is suddenly a good little eater, gobbling down foods he used to hate.

Anthony goes after his favorite target, Javier. Javier, as usual, prepares to run for his life.

I like to think this bodes well for our family's future economic situation...Anthony can already palm a basketball! (OK, it might not be quite regulation size...)

Anthony likes playing under his play center as much as he likes playing in it.

Our little family

Anthony and one of his Valentines, Grandma Char (his shirt says "heartbreaker"... so true)

On the mend

Half a dozen blood tests, one catheter, three chest X-rays, one stomach X-ray, one ultrasound, one throat culture, three IVs, countless nebulizer treatments, six prescriptions, two trips to the ER, seven nights in the hospital...and that's just what I can remember off the top of my head. It has easily been the worst week of Anthony's young life.

(Incidentally, also the worst week of our not-so-young lives.)

Fortunately, things are looking up. Anthony has been home since Tuesday and is eating well, playing enthusiastically and sleeping poorly. In other words -- normal. There's the little guy up above -- as happy as ever, if a bit thinner.

We don't have a diagnosis save for a bad ear infection toward the end of the ordeal; it looks like it was just a stubborn virus that had to run its course.

For anyone who's interested, here's our tale of woe in a nutshell: Anthony goes to the ER two weeks ago tomorrow with high fever and labored breathing. Is sent home. Things get worse Sunday. Visit pediatrician Monday. Admitted to Joe DiMaggio's Children's Hospital. Fever abates, breathing improves, Anthony won't eat or drink, still needs IV. Anthonyeats and drinks a little. Head home Friday with four drugs and a nebulizer. Anthony continues hunger strike (suspect he was protesting "arbitrary and capricious" one-toy rule in aftermath of Christmas, but not sure). Back to ER Saturday, new IV, readmitted to hospital. Hunger strike continues. No cause found (grandparents have arrived with multiple toys, doctors have run multiple tests). Anthony taken off original drugs and nebulizer (anyone need a six-month supply of Abuterol??), put on Zantac and Maalox. Doctors continue to espouse "it'll get better soon" theory. Mom is sick of hearing this. Even sicker of sleeping on hospital chair. "Soon" finally arrives Sunday as little mouth opens eagerly for bananas. Never liked bananas before illness. Good sign, but still refuses bottle. Monday, starts taking bottle. Eating habits normalize. Back home Tuesday.

We're still here, so I'm thinking that's a good sign.

So too is the fact that it isn't even noon yet, and Anthony has already gulped down 14 ounces of milk and some apples. I know this because I'm tracking his eating as closely as I tracked it when he was a newborn and I was convinced his frequent crying was because he was starving even though I was feeding him every 90 minutes. I hope I won't feel the need to do this forever, as that would make holding down a job really tricky.

Anyway, I am now confident enough to say I think Anthony's getting better without feeling like I'm jinxing the situation.

To me, this experience was terrifying -- no other word for it. Except maybe heartbreaking. Try watching your pale, weak, gaunt kid scream in terror as someone sticks him with an IV or needle or forces a drug down his throat. Then try doing it half a dozen times a day for two weeks.

Actually, don't try it, please.

But we're so lucky in so many ways: Our kid had something he has recovered from... we saw a lot of kids these past couple weeks who aren't so fortunate. We had the best, kindest care at Joe DiMaggio's (When we went to the ER there, we were seeing a doctor within five minutes). My parents dropped everything to drive down from Illinois to help us, and Grandma Char did the same to fly down and begin her shift this weekend (thank you, thank you, thank you). My boss was beyond understanding, and Brandon had sick leave at his disposal.

So, I guess we'll look at this as a learning experience, and to brace ourselves for the future.

Because as I sat in that hospital room with Anthony, watching the parade of sick kids coming in and out of the bed next door -- a toddler with a stomach virus, a 6-year-old who'd had his tonsils out, a teen with a twisted testicle (OUCH!) -- I realized with perfect clarity that the worries and crises and other little nightmares will never end. I don't know if I'm ready for that!

Should have thought of that 16 and a half months ago, huh?

But, ready or not, the only thing easy about this whole ordeal was the decision to drop everything and be there with our baby. We're lucky we have the means to do so, but hope this is an experience we never, ever have to repeat -- mostly for Anthony's sake, but also for ours.

Homeward Bound (hopefully!)

Thank you to everyone for your concern for little Anthony! He seems to be on the road to recovery, and, fingers crossed, we will be home from the hospital tomorrow.

As I don't want to jinx this wonderful possibility, I will save the details for later.

Suffice it to say, the little guy seems to be feeling much better, and is in the process of getting his appetite back (that's the most important thing, as his extended residence at Joe D's is due to a refusal to eat/drink...who would have thought a child belonging to me and Brandon would not eat or drink...)

Anyway, we're very, very ready to go home. The security guard no longer has to ask Grandma and Grandpa which room they're headed to. I know half the people on our floor by first name and/or sick kid story. And this morning, Brandon made the coffee in the hospital kitchenette.

Clearly, we've moved in. Please, please join us in hoping that we're about to move out.