A deep breath and don't look.

I've been dreading this day for the past four weeks. Today was Joey's eight week check up, which meant he would get several vaccinations today. Jamie and I have done our research and decided to vaccinate Joey, that choice made the only hard part now is actually seeing (or hearing if you don't look) as our son gets his shots.

First Joey had a liquid vaccination that he drank, he was hungry and had no trouble sucking that down. Then at the nurses request I held his hands while he got his shots. I had a tissue at the ready in case I cried for him, but for his sake I tried to be calm. The nurse was sweet she told me that I was not holding his hands to hold him down that it was to ensure he did not roll while he is on the table. (He has not begun to show signs of that ability yet but better safe than sorry.) She prepped his legs and gave him three shots. I made the mistake of looking at the needles, I wish they had looked shorter, because to me they seemed quite long in relation to the size of his chunky little thighs. He cried briefly in indignation with each shot but after the three were over and he had his band aids on he was just fine.

I'm glad that is over for the moment, no more for another two months.

I find there is yet one more reason to really like our pediatrician and his office. At the end of this visit because Joey was not allowed to eat for one hour prior to the visit they let me use a room across the hall to feed Joey. I thought that was very nice and he was asleep before we left the building. Now as I type he is still asleep sitting in his car seat (why disturb a sleeping baby right) next to me on the love seat at home.

When he wakes it will be back to life as usual eat, sing, check out the animals on his play mat and who knows maybe even try out his swing again, Joey has not yet decided that he likes his swing but I hear he ought to as he gets a bit bigger. Currently I'm just enjoying watching my son sleep and doing a little blogging and internet shopping from my living room. Who needs black Friday and crowds when you can shop from home right?

(The photo is after the appointment at home, notice his "ouchie" stickers he got for getting his shots.)

Songs...

I added links to the songs I'm listening to. Now you can see the videos and listen to these songs also through youtube. I know the Aerosmith song is a ballad from the Armageddon soundtrack so it isn't about a baby but think about it in the context of not wanting to miss a moment with your growing child, maybe you can see how I made a connection that way instead of the love song sort of way.

Here are the lyrics if you'd like to read them.
http://www.autolyrics.com/lyrics/for/Don%C2%B4t_Want_To_Close_My_Eyes/by/Aerosmith

Moments I Savor.

Seeing Joey wearing the fuzzy footed pajamas I bought him.

Seeing Joey relax completely when I wash his hair. (It's his favorite part of getting a bath I just know it.)

Feeling my sons fine baby soft head of hair against my cheek.

Seeing Joey's goofy spit bubble filled grins that come from nowhere. (They light up his eyes and fill my heart to over flowing.)

Seeing my son looking straight at me eye to eye.

Catching up all the dishes and laundry during Joey's naps,
accomplishments come in large and small but all feel good.

Enjoying a restful four - five hours of uninterrupted sleep.

Getting a huge hug from my husband with his arms and mine empty. (Usually occurs when Joey is laying down sleeping.)

New and improved.

I feel like a new and improved version of myself. Does that make any sense?

Life was good growing up while I was a "kid" in my parents care then through the milestones of growing up there were moments of feeling "new and improved;" graduating high school, attending college, working in a resort town for a summer/living on my own for a few months, attending an out of state college, graduating college, finding a job in my field, getting married and moving cross country to start a new path in life as a wife. All those milestones were wonderful but becoming a mom is the newest and probably most challenging yet.

Taking care of a baby is challenging but rewarding. Having a baby pushes me to do better in all things; wake when I need to feed or care for the baby, attend to all his needs, when he sleeps or is content for a bit grab those few minutes to catch up the dishes, run a load of laundry, drink a glass of juice and eat a yogurt or something nutritious to keep myself going, grabbing a shower when I can, vacuuming and being grateful when I do that Joey isn't disturbed by the noise.

Being a mom makes me appreciate so much more; the moments caring for my son, knowing when to just enjoy him, as well as the finding the appropriate moments to plow through some house work or projects.