The Pacifier

It has been a couple months since Riley gave up his pacifier (with quite a fight) but I just HAVE to write a blog about it since it was so monumental for him.

For a moment

pretend it is March

and follow Riley on a journey

through his first 2 1/2 years of life

sharing every sleeping moment

with his absolutely favorite thing

in the whole wide world

This adventure began when Riley was just a baby.

A relationship designed by God (or maybe mom)

From that very first week of life

Riley decided that his pacifier was to be

his best friend.

But his mom only let him have it in his bed

Soon, Riley's bear blanket joined the best friend club

pacifier and bear were inseperable

Pacifier was there for Riley

when he broke his leg

When he pretended to sleep

When he didn't want Christmas to end

When Emily was born

Mom and Dad got a bit

...relaxed about the pacifier

and Riley took advantage

soon he got it on the couch

While he watched cartoons

While reading books

But the funniest thing he ever did

with his pacifier

was put two of them in his mouth

at the same time

But then Mom said that he was a big boy

and didn't need a pacifier any more

but he wanted it anyway

He tried very hard to keep it

but Mom started cutting it short

and after 3 whole weeks

he didn't really want it anymore

who would?

Now he's a big boy

and he doesn't need his pacifier

any more

Unless he finds one that mom hid

Our Itty Bitty plus a pound

Emily's doctor appointment was last week. Both Dave and Debbi had commented that Emily was looking a bit chubbier so I really wasn't worried. After a couple minutes of fuss over wether to weigh her on the regular scale or the digital scale, we put her on the regular one. The doctor let out an audible gasp and stared at Emily in wonder. She had gained 14 ounces-an ounce per day. The doctor said that it was amazing and she couldn't believe it-they had hoped for maybe a third of that. So our Itty Bitty is now 7 months old and weighs 13 pounds 8 ounces-still small but everyone is happy now. I mentally muttered, "of course she gained weight! We're shoveling food down her throat like she may never get a chance to eat again!"

Next, came MY homework check. When Emily was two weeks old, she hadn't gained back her birth weight yet, so they checked my milk to see how many calories per ounce I was producing. I came in at 40 calories-a record high, and the only record I have ever had by the way. Last appointment, they checked my milk again. I came in at 16 calories per ounce. There goes the record. I was told to eat more and feed her more. Last week, I was checked again and came in at 32 calories per ounce. I was told to keep up the good work and enjoy the food. I'll enjoy the food alright, what I don't enjoy is the three pounds I gained in the last two weeks that I'll never get rid of!

Emily is doing great and loves to eat. What she wants most in life, is to have whatever food is on mom and dad's plate. Since she doesn't chew very well yet, she's gonna have to wait. Which makes her, daily, very annoyed. :)