August is filling up already!

In the past almost-ten months (WOW!), my life has changed in many ways. Doctors' visits are now simply a part of life. There are several not-so-hidden blessings, however. One, I am *very* thankful that I am a SAHM (stay-at-home-mom). Not only for the many doctors' visits, but for the weekly physical therapy and the simple fact that there are fewer germs at home than at daycare. Do you realize that surgeries and a few sniffles aside, Benjamin has never been sick? He has never really run a fever nor has he had a cold. Not even a cold! Wow. Another blessing is that I have recently realized is that we really like and trust all our doctors. Currently, Benjamin sees a regular pediatrician, a pediatric cardiologist, a pediatric surgeon, an pediatric opthamologist, and in the past has seen a pediatric cardiac surgeon, a geneticist, and a urologist. Wow. That's a lot of doctors. And we really do like them all and feel that they all have Benjamin's best interest in mind.

Speaking of doctors, we have already been twice this week! Both really good reports. First, the cardiologist. Benjamin's heart is looking great. He was able to stop taking his Lasix altogether. The Enalapril he now only takes once a day (instead of twice), and will stop it completely in two weeks. We go back in six months. Wow! Gotta say, though, Dr. Herold is the BEST and we'll miss seeing him.

Then we had another follow-up with his surgeon from his intestinal surgery. She was pleased that the spitting up has decreased (only three times in the past week!) and wants to see him back in six months to talk about his next (and last scheduled) surgery, which will be to repair his hypospadias (second urinary opening) and hernia from his chest tubes (following his heart surgery). Neither problem poses any issues right now, so she wants to wait until he's a little bigger. So the day after we see the cardiologist, we'll see the surgeon again. August seems so far away, but I'm sure it'll be here before we know it! He weighed 15lbs, 6 oz yesterday at the cardiologist!!! Yay, Benjamin!

In April he'll have his one-year well visit (as well as Andrew's three-year well visit) and in May he will have another eye exam.

I did talk to his pediatrician this morning because I was concerned that in the past three or four days, he seems to have dramatically decreased the amount of formula he was eating. I did up his solids to three times a day a couple of weeks ago, and even then he's really supposed to get a minimum of 16 oz of formula a day. Yesterday he only ate 13 oz, and this morning, after not eating all night, he only wanted two ounces. I was concerned that there might be an obstruction still in his intestines. When she asked me if he was still eating solids okay, I told her that he loved them. Well, what I have now is an almost-ten-month-old who wants to go ahead and wean himself from liquids so he can EAT. Now *that's* my boy! I am supposed to try and get him to drink 16 oz of formula a day but obviously there's only so much I can do. Today so far he's only had six, and he only has two more bottles. (Yesterday before bed he only wanted ONE ounce.) He still gets solids three times a day and even a snack. She said I can start giving him mashed up table foods. I agreed and then realized that in order to do that, I've got to start making table foods that he can eat. It's not like I can mash up a piece of Papa John's pizza. So...........

Speaking of eating... Ugh. I hestitate to even post this (notice how I'm slipping it into a post about Benjamin...) but I know I need the accountability. Plus I already posted it on Facebook.
One week from today, on Thursday, February 26, I will be joining Weight Watchers for the first time. I will go on Thursday nights to a local church for weigh-in. I am anxious and excited. I really hope to be able to have the willpower and motivation to lose this baby weight from two babies plus a little that I had before. It is difficult for me to put forth the effort to lose a bunch of weight (ideally I'd like to lose 40 pounds) because I want two more children, and obviously am just going to gain weight each time I'm pregnant. But it's not healthy for me to continue like this and I simply am not happy with myself.

I have a friend coming to visit me today. Her name is Mary Jo and she is flying into Chattanooga in less than two hours. I'm so excited!! See, MJ and I have never actually met. We have been friends via the Internet for over three years when we were both pregnant with our first sons. I think I've emailed her (and several other girls) more than anyone else I know in the past year.

Now I have two sons, and Mary Jo will be having her second one this June. She wanted a little break and had frequent flyer miles. So, YAY! She's coming all the way from Minneapolis and her husband has graciously agreed to stay back at home with Jack, who is Andrew's age.

What's the plan? Food and Bravo TV. Plus I need to buy some new socks. LOL! One of the reasons MJ and I are friends is that we are both low maintenance. We're both happy eating Mexican food and watching Top Chef. Good thing, b/c that's what we'll be doing! She's staying today through Sunday. I just sent her a text message to tell her what Matthew will be wearing when he picks her up from the airport this afternoon (blue jeans, tennis shoes, navy jacket). She texted back: "Me--in blue. Big hair." HA!!! Yeah, we're gonna hit it right off.

Poor thing. Matthew is taking her straight from the airport to CiCi's Pizza, where we're eating dinner. Not only will she have to meet me for the first time in a pizza buffet where they shout at you when you walk in the door ("HI! WELCOME TO CICI'S!"), but she'll have to meet my mom, my SIL, my kids, and my nieces and nephew. Oh, and lots of other friends and former coworkers. Plus probably some former students. (It's my mom's school's Pizza Fundraiser Night.) All after traveling all day. While pregnant. Good thing she's such a good sport. She may change her mind about me after this! (Nah.....)

But for now I've got to fold this laundry.

Ooh, wait! Who is watching American Idol? Me, me!! I am loving it!! I didn't get to vote on Tuesday night because I went to bed at 8:20 that night. But I got a chance to watch the performances before the results last night, and I *totally* called all three singers who got to stay! YAY! I am hoping that Anoop and/or Anne Marie get wildcard spots b/c I really like them both.

Okay, laundry calls. Have a great Friday everyone! Sorry no new pictures this time. I'll post some of MJ and her big hair later. :)