Happy Birthday, Baby Aussie

Dear Aussie, Aussers, Austen Boston, Bubba, Little Turd,

You are One today.

Happy Birthday, Little Mister!

You are such an incredible little man.  I don't know if it's because you are my last baby or because of our bond over your birth, but you are magical.  Magical in more ways than I can count.

Your eyes.  You have the most breathtaking indigo eyes with eyelashes any woman would covet.  They are your Daddy's eyes and the first time I saw his, I knew.  He was my destiny and so are you.

Your smile.  It gives me butterflies.  Your whole face lights up and those gorgeous eyes sparkle and 7 (almost 8!) teeny tiny toofers make their appearance.  

Your hair.  Strawberry blonde and just starting to show the signs of curls.  Hair that soaks with sweat when you sleep, hair that you pull on the rare occasion you decide to have a meltdown. 

Your personality.  You love to cuddle and snuggle and I am going to admit that you have me wrapped around your little finger.  Did you know that you have been held for every single nap you've had outside of your carseat?  Spoiled, loved, cherished...you could call it many things I suppose.  I don't regret one single minute of it.

Your loves.  You love milkies from Mommy.  In the past two months, you have really taken to eating solids and your favorites right now are broccoli, string cheese, yogurt melts, bananas, and meats.  You love playing with Tucker and Chloe and you love Daddy, especially when he tosses you into the air.  Your Grandparents are also at the top of your list of favorite people.  Grandma and Grandpa & Grammie and Papa are the ones who watch you while I work a couple of days a week.   You love dogs and pant and make an attempt at a "woof" when you see them.   You also love bathtime and you throw a fit when it's time to get out of the water.  Speaking of bathtime, you are obsessed with trying to sneak into the bathroom anytime the door is left open.  That's gross, Austen.  Please stop. 

Your dislikes.  Sleeping alone, getting buckled in the carseat, diaper changes, getting dressed.  I am lucky that this list is short!  You are such an agreeable little man!

Your talents and skills.  You can sign for "milk" and "more" and we are working on please, eat and thank you.  You can say "mama", "dada", "more", and "banana."  You are starting to stand unassisted but aren't quite ready to walk yet, but I think it will be soon!  You love to babble and you have such a cute raspy voice.  You like to imitate and shake your head no.  You are a tiny little thing, you only weigh 16.5 pounds, up just 5.5 since you were born!  You wear 6-9 month and some 12 month clothes.  

As I rocked you tonight while you nursed, I noted that the clock ticked past 8:03pm, the time you were born.  I rubbed your little head, just as I did one year ago tonight.  Coincidentally, the chair I rocked you in tonight is in the exact location you were born, right here in our living room.  We trusted each other so much that night, I listened to you and you listened to me.  We were a team.  We are a team.

I can't wait to soak up the next year of your life, Austen Grey.  I love you more with every second that passes.  You are destined for greatness and I will be there every step of the way cheering you on! 

Evolution, Part One

As parents, I think we all have regrets.  Unfortunately, my biggest regret is one that can never be reversed and weighs heavily on my mind almost five years later.  It was also a decision that was made without appropriate research, one I deferred to Ryan, and one that I knew in my heart was wrong.  It was a mistake I was not going to make if given a second chance, and when we found out we were having another boy, I was granted that second chance.

When you know better, you do better.

I'm talking about routine infant circumcision.  I am posting about it because this is one of the topics that falls under the "I Wish I Would Have Known Then" categories in life.  So, what exactly do I wish I would have known?  Well for starters.....

I wish I would have known that the foreskin is a functional, protective part of the penis.  It is actually fused to the head of the penis until the child is older.  Let me say that again.  The foreskin is fused to the head of the penis.  I did not know that!  How could I not have known that?  Here I was, thinking that it was as somewhat minor snipping of some loose, hanging skin.  It makes me cry to think that they shove a metal instrument between the foreskin and the glans and then cut the skin off!  That would be like shoving something underneath your toenail, except we are talking about genitals here! 

Are you horrified yet?  Oh, I have more....

We have already established that the foreskin is not "just loose skin," but it actually has a function.  It's job is to protect and lubricate the head of the penis.  It is highly innervated and has a rich supply of blood vessels.  Do me a favor.  I want you to take your finger and press your lower lip.  Now I want you take your fingernail and lightly sweep your lower lip back and forth.  Feel the difference?  The lips contain the same type of nerves the head of the penis has and you have experienced a very good example of what a circumcised vs. uncircumcised man experiences.  We are desensitizing and mutilating our sons! If we talked of female circumcision, we would all be horrified, so why the double standard for our sons? 

And when they tell you in the hospital that your sweet, perfectly formed newborn son didn't even cry or feel pain during the procedure?  That's a lie.  Your son went into a deep shock.  Infant circumcision causes severe, persistent pain.  I experienced this first hand.  Diaper changes, even after the rawness was gone, seemed painful for Tucker.  He would scream during diaper changes up until the time he potty trained.

Common Questions and Arguments:

But don't I want Austen to look the same as his Daddy and brother?  No.  Hell no.  I am 1,000% confident in my decision and this is probably the #1 reason most people decide to circumcise their sons.  If your husband had one arm, would you chop your baby's arm off so he could look like Daddy?  I think not. 

But aren't I worried that he might be teased when his little friends find out he looks different?  No.  Tucker has already questioned why Austen is different and I just explained that every body is different.  From the tops of our head to the tips of our toes, we have different looking parts, private parts are no exception.  When he is older, I will discuss with Tucker that I did not know it was wrong when he was born and I will take the time to answer his questions at length.  For now, we are keeping it at a five year old explanation.  Additionally, as people become educated, the rate of circumcision is dropping so he is likely to not be the only uncircumcised boy in the locker room.

But circumcision decreases the risk of STDs and penile cancer, right?  No.  The studies have shown that a properly cared for, intact penis does not carry a heightened risk of any disease or complication.  I repeat, circumcision is a purely cosmetic procedure.
 
But what if I don't want to mess with the special care an intact penis requires?  Um, an intact penis does not require any special care.  You simply wipe it just like you would clean a finger.  You never, ever retract the foreskin until it retracts on its own.  Your son will likely be cleaning himself when that happens, and at that point you can have a discussion with him about the importance of retracting the skin and cleaning properly.  

God made your son perfect.  Please leave him that way.

When you know better, you do better. 


savingsons.org

2013

Happy New Year! 

I know that this blog has become quiet but according to my stats toolbar, people are still peeking in on me!  There are many post topics that I have rolling around in my head and I am hoping to share some of those soon. 

I have been struggling with finding my voice in the blogging world.  I have so much to say, mostly about childhood nutrition, but I struggle because I don't want to come across as preachy or know-it-all and with written word, sometimes tone and intention is lost. 

So, I guess consider this my disclaimer for future posts.  I will blog about what I am passionate about, but please realize that it comes from a place of wanting to help and wanting to spread the word about different topics.  Some of the topics I intend to talk about this year range from food dyes, food sensitivity testing, routine infant circumcision, and probably plenty "I wish I would have known then" posts. 

Interspersed in my ramblings, I intend to also include plenty of pictures and stories about The Clones.  Ryan got me an awesome new camera for Christmas, and even though I have no idea how to work it yet, I am loving having better quality pictures to share!  I am on the lookout for some basic photography classes so I can hopefully develop a new hobby! 

Other things that will happen this year that I am excited (and scared) for:  my 35th birthday in May (WHAT!?), the fact that I verbally committed to completing The Warrior Dash in June with my friend Becky (OMG!), I joined the YMCA and plan to start working out regularly again, which I have not done since, oh, about 1998 (yes, 1998).  2013:  Bring it, I'm ready!

In My Daughter's Eyes

In my daughter's eyes,
I am a hero,
I am strong and wise,
And I know no fear,
But the truth is plain to see,
She was sent to rescue me,
I see who I want to be,
In my daughter's eyes

(lyrics from In My Daughter's Eyes by Martina McBride)

It is hard to believe my baby girl will be three years old tomorrow.  It seems like yesterday I was beginning labor with her, soaking up the last moments I had with just Tucker and preparing to journey through one of the most defining experiences of my life.  Her birth was life changing for me, on so many levels.

I love this girl with all that I have.

Before I was a parent, I would hear people describe their children as having their hearts walk around outside their bodies.  There were many things I didn't quite understand about a parent's love before I became one, but describing her as having my heart walking around outside of my body is exactly what it feels like.  I love her so much it hurts.  Just thinking of her beauty, internal and external, makes me well up with tears.  All of my children are amazing, but there is a difference between loving a son and loving a daughter.  It's not something I'm capable of putting into words because one is not more or less than another, it is just different. 

I see her future and how much of an impact she will have on our lives, how much of an impact she will have on this world.  I want her to chase her dreams without fear, I want her to be happy, I want her to be kind, I want her to love and be loved, I want her to be passionate about something, I want her to foster the parts of her personality that scare the living daylights out of me, I want her to maintain her creativity despite society steering her in an academic direction.  I want her to know how much, and how deeply I love her.  She is my world.

So, who is Chloe Noelle at the ripe age of THREE? 
She is 25 pounds of pure sweetness but don't let her fool you!  She has been nicknamed Drama for a reason!  Her other nicknames are Co, Coco, Puff, Puffers, Booger, and Josie Grossie.   She is very independent and is often playing by herself and engaging in imaginative play where she gives her toys funny little voices.  She is very girly but she also loves getting dirty (see nickname Josie Grossie).  She still uses a "W" sound for her "L" sound, I just wuv it when she wants to sit on my wap, or when she tells me something is wellow.  She is cuddly with me but not really anyone else and I secretly like it when she climbs in bed with me at night.  She loves to watch me put makeup on and likes it when I (pretend) give her some too.  She is obsessed with lotion (wotion!) and lippies (wippies!) aka lipgloss.  She absolutely loves being a big sister to Austen and will correct you if you happen to call him Bubba in her presence. 

Rainbow Baby

Austen turns six months old today!  He is 14.8 pounds...not up much from his 11+ pounds at birth!  He has two bottom teeth, is sitting up and army crawling.  He had his first taste of food tonight with an organic avocado.  He was not a fan and has a great gag reflex!  :)  He is such pure joy!  He is my Rainbow Baby (see definition below) and I love him so very much!




Rainbow Baby:  typically referring to a baby born after the loss of a previous pregnancy or the death of a child. Rainbow Babies are the understanding that the beauty of a rainbow does not negate the ravages of the storm. When a rainbow appears, it does not mean that the storm never happened or that the family is not still dealing with its aftermath. What it means is that something beautiful and full of light has appeared in the midst of the darkness and the clouds. Storm clouds may still loom over but the rainbow provides a counterbalance of color, energy, and much needed hope.

Toofy!

Austen got his first tooth today on the bottom right!  He was only mildly fussy, nothing a few Hyland's Teething Tablets couldn't help!  I sure do hope he continues to be a good teether like Chloe was, Tucker always, always spiked huge fevers when he would get teeth and it was not fun at all!

Here Comes the Sun

It is soooo hot this week!!!!  It is supposed to be over 100 every day this week, ugh!  I am NOT a hot weather girl, I much prefer spring and fall but I am very thankful I am not pregnant this summer (sorry, Jill!)!  I feel for all the pregnant mommas this time of year! 

I am slowly getting out of my funk.  I think a lot of my mood change is due to finally reading Kelle Hampton's book, Bloom.  Gosh, I love that lady and her blog.  I admit, I used to rely on negativity and sarcasm as my way of life but have really turned that around since becoming a mom and Kelle's blog has been a huge part of my more positive outlook.  It takes effort to find the positive in things, especially when you feel like you can't catch a break, but the positive is there if you are willing to open your eyes and find it.  And with that, I am moving forward with my chin up and a smile on my face! 

And to kick off my new attitude, let's do a catch up of my beautiful children!

Capturing his beautiful auburn hair before his summer buzz cut

 Tucker has really been developing his imagination lately.  He loves for me to "announce" him and describe the obstacle course of his choosing as if we are doing a play-by-play sporting event.  He loves riding his bike, collecting (and accidentally killing) bugs of all kinds, is slightly obsessed with Spiderman, and loves to go to Grammie and Papa's house.  He has started to have some more food issues in addition to the intolerance to food dyes.  I am feeling hopeful of the track I'm on with identifying his triggers though and look forward to the day that we are done with them! 

My kitty girl

 Chloe continues to be full of sass and sweetness.  She loves to play Mommy and Baby.  She loves to be held and will look up at me with her big brown eyes and designate me as the Mommy <insert any animal you can think of here> and she is the Baby.  As evidenced by her picture, she asks to be a kitty almost every day and she wants a kitty birthday party this year.  Lest I forget, she puked in the peanut bucket at my birthday celebration at Texas Roadhouse last month!  I really need to be better about writing about all of their funny stories because I know I am forgetting soooo much!  She is a September 2nd baby so she misses the preschool start date by one day.  They said I could go ahead and start her if I wanted but I decided not to.  I don't want all of her friends to move on to kindergarten in a couple years when she would be left behind.  It seems much more kind to start her with the class she will graduate with even though she will be one of the oldest in her class.

Mr. Bright Eyes

Sweet Austen is just that, sweet as can be!  He is just happy as a clam and has the most intoxicating smile!  I actually get butterflies in my tummy when he smiles at me sometimes!  He is rolling over both ways and is starting to put his knees underneath him.  He is not quite ready to sit on his own yet but I don't think it will be much longer.  He is also about to get his first tooth, I can feel it under his gums.  Tucker and Chloe love him so much and they are so great with him!  He laughs easily and has the biggest blue eyes, just like his Daddy!   I so hope he keeps them!  He has really thinned out and I think he's around 15 pounds, wearing 3-6 & 6-9 month clothes.