Carrots = Organic Teether

Rachel and I have an on-going battle about allowing Lucy to try food; Rachel is more cautious and I think Lucy should be able to try new things- obviously within certain limits. I totally don't want to rush into anything and put Lucy at a higher risk for allergies and/ or reactions... But, tonight while I was cutting vegetables, Lucy grabbed a carrot and enjoyed some organic teething.
Lucy is totally curious about food...

What are other people's thoughts?
And, what did other parents do?

The week of November 21- 29, 2009

The week of hell is blessed with a significant event- Lucy’s adoption. It all started last Saturday (November 21st, 2009) when I called the pediatrician’s office because Lucy had this deep congested cough. As I stated below, everything was “fine” except for the cough; lo and behold, the next morning she spiked a 102 degree fever. Like concerned parents, we telephoned the on-call pediatrician’s phone number and were told if the fever lasts long than three days, they wanted to see her in the office again. Not wanting to leave Rachel home alone with a miserable baby, I dutifully cancelled my trip to Sandy’s surprise fortieth birthday party.

Needless to say, Monday November 23rd, 2009 was Lucy’s formal adoption hearing in the Franklin County Probate Court. We originally were not going to bring her because we didn’t want to infect anybody else. However, since the court appearance was scheduled for first thing in the morning, we were unable to get in touch with a lawyer. Thus, we bundled our little snot-nosed, fever baby and headed to the court house. She was well behaved during the entire 45 minutes we were there. She charmed the judge, the lawyer, and the entire court room (it was a private session- therefore, she charmed the court personnel). Unfortunately, due to Lucy’s illness, we needed to cancel her adoption celebration that was scheduled for that evening. Additionally, we needed to cancel our trip to visit her father in Santa Cruz, CA. for Thanksgiving.

The flu hit our house like wild fire- she was a sick little goose. All she wanted to do was sleep and be held. She whimpered because she was so miserable; Rachel and I were miserable because there was nothing we could do to make it any better- other than Tylenol and Motrin around the clock. Wednesday hit and she still had a fever of 101 degrees, so once again, I was on the telephone and once again we were off to see the pediatrician. This time, she had an ear infection and junky lungs (i.e. congested) and he put her on a ten day round of Amoxicillin.

Rachel and I were optimistic and made alternative plans for Thanksgiving to go to her boss’ house. We bought the items that we offered to bring to dinner and prepared them Wednesday evening. However, both Rachel and I were not telling the other that we were feeling lousy. We were in denial that perhaps we could have caught Lucy’s illness. Once again, the flu ruined our plans as we woke up Thursday morning and felt like death. Luckily, Lucy was beginning to feel better and she wanted to move around, whereas Rachel and I wanted to sleep. We hadn’t planned on being home; therefore, we didn’t buy much food because we were first expecting to be in California and then expecting to be at her boss’ house for Thanksgiving. Course, we weren’t going to starve to death, but our refrigerator was bare and our freezer was stacked, but neither one of us could imagine cooking while feeling so darn lousy. We tried calling every place in Greenfield to see if we could get delivery; we assumed that the Chinese restaurant was open. We were WRONG! Ughh… then, we began to heat up a pan to cook some pasta and meat sauce. Literally seconds before we put food in the pan, my mother arrived with leftovers from my sister-in-laws family’s house. We were able to eat Thanksgiving food after all.

Today, Rachel and I are feeling more human. Lucy is still our favorite snot-nosed daughter, but she is also feeling much better as well. Thank god this week is almost over. I honestly think it was the worst week and one of the most challenging weeks that Rachel and I have experienced. And, definitely, it was the worst Thanksgiving in our history as a couple. It can only get better…

Curve Balls....

Life throws curve balls at you…

When you’re least expecting it, life sometimes hands you circumstances to see how well you are able to cope. As a social worker, I base my current status on the ability to provide for my family and the ability to provide to individuals in a community that I “believe in.” Prior to my current position, as a social work supervisor on the BRAND new Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and transgender unit, I worked with adolescents on a long-term residential unit. Both of which, I “believed in!” My last position, I worked as the only social worker on the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender in-patient unit of one of the well known, “Ivy League” psychiatric hospitals. It literally just celebrated its 175th year in existence and I just recently celebrated my 3rd year of employment. Sadly, following my three year review, I received notice that my position was being eliminated as a reduction in force throughout the hospital. Where does that leave me? As an unemployed, licensed in Massachusetts and Vermont, LICSW, with a heart of gold, a decent resume, and a family to support.

As we all know, social workers don’t get rich due to their profession. The non-profit world does not create an atmosphere where one can make a decent living; however, with a LICSW, one would think that I can become employed rather quickly. On the other hand, I’m not desperate enough to take any employment opportunity that falls upon my lap. Fortunately, I have a wife who makes a decent wage and with some per diem work, we are able to supplement our income enough for me to be able to choose a position that works for me and family.

Speaking of family… Lucy amazes me daily. She is up on both hands and knees trying to crawl; however, she hasn’t put all of the mechanics together in order to make it happen yet. She is VERY close! Also, she has been sick with a cold this week. She has quite a nasty cough and nasal congestion. We made an emergency appointment to the pediatrician’s office today. He, not our general pediatrician, stated that Lucy’s ears were “generally” clear, but that we might want to follow-up on the left one in about 2 weeks because it looks “suspicious.” And, that she doesn’t have the “flu” because she doesn’t have a fever; however, if she spikes a fever and/ or becomes unable to sleep at night, to bring her in immediately. He also, sadly, told us that we should not travel to California on Wednesday because Lucy would just be “miserable” and the two moms would spend the entire plane trip trying to provide symptom relief. He stated “If possible, I would reschedule for a time that Lucy is feeling better because everybody (you, your wife, all the plane passengers, and the folks that we’re visiting) will enjoy the trip better!” I appreciated the pediatrician’s advice & I immediately went to CVS to obtain the saline solution that he suggested would help loosen Lucy’s phlegm and nasal congestion.

Currently, Lucy is asleep, but these periods of sleep only last for a short amount of time while she is not feeling well. Generally, our baby is so wonderful and hardly fusses. In general, Lucy Elizabeth Masson is a wonderfully happy, content, and secure baby.

Photos from the past month...

Apple picking with Mommy, Vik & Izi.

Vik & Izi.


Lucy, Mommy, Momma, & Izi.

Where's Lucy?

Mama & her little ducky.

Duck,
duck,
Goose!