MAX, ME and the MAC

Feverish February

My nights of uninterrupted sleep ended last night as it was clear that Will is sick yet once again. Monday afternoon he had a fever 102.3. The fever came back full force during the night, so Joey and I took turns trying to comfort our sweaty whimpering baby boy. I did nurse him to comfort him twice, but it didn't comfort him for long. He sweated so much last night that his head is covered in ringlets today. We saw the doctor, and my fears were confirmed. He now has his 5th ear infection. As our doctor said, "We are all out of ammunition. This is the last antibiotic we have for him." So now I am waiting for a call from the specialist, who will examine his ears and determine if tubes are the way to go for him.
Our afternoon was actually pleasant since we were able to be outside. Sunshine works wonders on sickness. This evening his appetite had vanished once again, and the fussing started. I took him out of his highchair, and cuddled him in my lap. He then leaned forward as to rest his curly head on my arm and within seconds Will was sound asleep. So now he is in his crib still dirty from the day, snot plastered to his face, and wearing only a diaper. And I am left in the stillness to pray that God brings healing to this little baby I love so fiercely.

Oh the Joy of Sleeping

Since I have started weaning Will, I have noticed that his sleep has improved beyond what I thought was possible. For the first time in probably over a year I have slept 7 hours without interruption four days in a row. I have been able to get up early, have breakfast, read and be in such a better mood. Following I have listed some sleep facts that really explain a lot of a new mama and papa's experience. What I have learned this first year with Will is that some situations are hurtful, painful and just stinking annoying, but a nap or a good night sleep can really work wonders in how I deal with and experience the situation. So in celebration of rest and sleep, and in the hopes that I continue to get some sleep, here are some interesting facts about sleep that I got from The National Sleep Research Project

-The record for the longest period without sleep is 18 days, 21 hours, 40 minutes during a rocking chair marathon. The record holder reported hallucinations, paranoia, blurred vision, slurred speech and memory and concentration lapses.

- Anything less than five minutes to fall asleep at night means you're sleep deprived. The ideal is between 10 and 15 minutes, meaning you're still tired enough to sleep deeply, but not so exhausted you feel sleepy by day.

- A new baby typically results in 400-750 hours lost sleep for parents in the first year

- Seventeen hours of sustained wakefulness leads to a decrease in performance equivalent to a blood alcohol-level of 0.05%.

- Teenagers need as much sleep as small children (about 10 hrs) while those over 65 need the least of all (about six hours). For the average adult aged 25-55, eight hours is considered optimal

- Some studies suggest women need up to an hour's extra sleep a night compared to men, and not getting it may be one reason women are much more susceptible to depression than men.

- Feeling tired can feel normal after a short time. Those deliberately deprived of sleep for research initially noticed greatly the effects on their alertness, mood and physical performance, but the awareness dropped off after the first few days.

- Diaries from the pre-electric-light-globe Victorian era show adults slept nine to 10 hours a night with periods of rest changing with the seasons in line with sunrise and sunsets.

WW II

Right now WW II does not stand for World War Two at our house. Rather, it means Weaning Will Day Two. So far it is going well. Monday I started not nursing him at all during the day. So he gets some "baby milk" (as Max calls it) when he wakes up, and when he goes to bed. This evening he is a little fussy. I think he would really like to nurse now, but I have to be strong. I almost think that I am weaning myself as much as I am him. I am weaning myself of THE fussy quick-fix and daily times to snuggle and just marvel at my sweet baby boy.
I am looking forward to getting some of my old life back once he is weaned. He will be able to go to sleep without mom, which means I can be out in the evening and not have to worry that he is being a bear to the sitter or Joey. I am also looking forward to trading in nursing bras for "not-nursing bras." Sorry if that is too much info, but it is something I am looking forward to. So wish us luck.

Brothers

I am learning how the Body of Christ is becoming family to me.
It is humbling and beautiful.
A blessing and a gift.
Thank you.

Twas the Week Between Christmas and New Year

The week between Christmas and New Year was one of my favorites of 2010 because we got a lot of much needed time as a family. One morning we went to the Riverwalk in Columbia. This was Max's first real chance to ride his bike Opa got him over a year ago. While there, he rode his bike 2 1/2 miles, and he learned to "apply his breaks" (as Thomas the Tank Engine says). When we were done all three boys (Max, Will and Dash) took a nice afternoon nap.
Hard to believe that I have been in South Carolina for 10 years now. Believe it or not, that is about how long I lived in Austria. Slowly, I am coming to see the beauty of SC. I love the turtles, the Spanish moss and the rugged rivers. It is all very different then Vienna and the Alps, yet pretty in its own way.

Yummy Treat

Sunday we found a jewel in Greenville: Bavarian Pretzel Factory. It carries lots of treasures such as dark German bread, sunflower seed rolls, pretzels, Austrian pumpkin seed oil and wines, chocolate, coffee, real sausages, Leberkaese and Almdudler. Sunday dinner hardly gets any better than that!! If you are a fan of German/Austrian food, then you must pay them a visit.