Parenthood...

It dawns on me that parenthood is all about perspective. Alexandra is a great baby, but that doesn't stop us from freaking out every day. I get upset when she doesn't sleep in as late as I think she needs to... meanwhile she is 3-1/2 months old and sleeps 10-12 hours a night. Every week Michele reads to me from multiple books about what Alex should be able to do now and I always find a problem (Oh crap, she isn't picking her nose and eating it!)... but she is progressing great and ahead of the curve if anything. She doesn't take long naps during the day, just 30-45 minutes at a pop... still, it isn't like she is tired and cranky all the time, she wakes up happy and smiley and ready to eat/play. Perspective.

Today we called the pediatrician because Alex has had a rash on her chest on and off, and has been spitting up frequently. The doctor seemed almost amused. The rash, she told us, is most likely excema. Most babies in cold climates get it at one point or another to some extent. Here's some OTC cream to apply, keep an eye on it, no big deal. All babies spit up. Her esophagus isn't fully developed, so if she has too much to eat, has some pressure on belly, burps, sneezes, farts (you get the picture) some stomach content just bubbles to the surface. If she isn't uncomfortable and there is no force behind the backwash ( I could tell you a story about a laser beam of partially digested milk, but I'll save it for later), then it's no big deal. We are those first time parents that we said we wouldn't be. Perspective.

We had originally planned to both go back to work and start her in daycare at the beginning of April. Plans changed, everything changed, after the diagnosis. Even after all the tears, the long days at chemo, the nausea, sleepless nights, and worry it is a real blessing that we get to spend a little more time hanging out with her than we anticipated. Perspective.