Didn't Pull Out - Teen Dad blog

Daily update #2

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:21:21 +0000

Dear Alessandra,

Today you spent all day with me. You must be getting tired of me. Even though it doesn’t seem like you are, but I have a feeling if I spent all day with myself I would begin to get tired of me. Today was a good day. The night before you, mom, and I hung out pretty much the whole night and watched some TV til’ you fell asleep. Watching you sleep is always fun, because you are very difficult to put to sleep. You think play time is always and bed time is never. Though I can see where you get it from. I mean look at me. I’m here writing a blog post about your day when I should be sleeping. You know how I am though. I dislike sleep and rather gain more knowledge.

When you woke up today you woke up with a smile. As always. I love when we all wake up feeling good. Even though I woke up to a pretty bad dream I realized that it was just a dream and watching you and mom smile at me made my day much brighter. Unfortunately mom couldn’t hang out with us as much as we would have wanted but that’s okay. After you woke up I fed you since you’re a silly little hungry hippo and that’s when our day began.

Around 2pm I checked twitter while you were hanging out with grandma for a bit. I was saddened to see what one of the trending topics of the day was. #RIPLaylaGrace was the third top trending topic for all of twitter. At first I glanced over it and had no idea what it was about, but shortly after I recalled mom was reading her blog about her illness. It really struck me and made me realize how fortunate we are to have a healthy baby. It saddened me deeply because I can only help but to imagine how the Grace family is feeling. I remember when you, mom, and I had to spend nights at the hospital so you could get better. I cannot imagine how they were able to cope with it. My condolences sincerely go out to them. When you grow older and are able to understand more about her illness I suggest you read her blog http://laylagrace.org – hopefully it’ll be up. This part of my post really and dearly goes out to them.

After reading the tweet regarding her I told myself that I need to cheer up and spend time with you. We did. We played entirely the whole day, which is nothing new as you and I love playing around and running after each other. Even though you can’t run/walk yet but you know what I mean, or at least you’ll know what I mean one day. Shortly after playing for a bit you and grandma went out to Target and Costco to buy some things. Most of which were for you. You came back and we went back to playing with your new toy. This was pretty much how our whole day went, amor.

Mom came home around 8pm and you were happy to see her, as always. We hung out and played with you as we watched MTV’s Teen Mom, and talked about dear Layla Grace. As of right now you and mom are sleeping, as you should be since it is close to being 4:00 in the morning.

Love,
Dad & Mom (who is sleeping, lol)

ps – you’re getting older.

Daily Update – 3/4/10

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:54:04 +0000

Dear Alessandra,

Let me tell you baby – you’re becoming something else. I love spending all the time we spend together with you but you are now becoming a little monster. In a good way of course.

Today we pretty much stayed at home all day. We left moms place and came to mine quite early. We hung out and played together til about 3 when I had to leave and attend a meeting with a colleague.

I came back home around 6 to find out you had just woken up (great, I was planning on napping with you but you beat me to the nap). That being said I knew you would be ready for a fun night. After every nap you can usually go on for about 6 extra hours before falling asleep so yeah. I had about 6 more hours before I could do anything.

Once I got home we hung out. I chased you, you chased me same thing different day no?. Today you really destroyed my room. I had never seen my room as a mess as it was today. Its okay though ill clean it up for you, but once you get older you will be cleaning it up.

After the mess you made we hung out more watched some tv, used the internet together, trolled some people and that was pretty much it until mom got home.

When mom got home we pretty much did the same thing. If it hadn’t been too late I would not have minded taking a family trip to a store, but it was kind of late.

I have to go sleep now. I need to be alert for your important day tomorrow, or should I say later today.

We love you.
Mom and Dad

Where to celebrate first birthday?

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:11:45 +0000

So you have made it past that first year. Now its time for your kid’s first birthday but you have no idea where to celebrate. Often that is the case with parents of their first child, like my wife and I we were also lost as to where to host our daughter’s birthday.

Here are some things to take into consideration when planning the first birthday.

- often the party is for the parents and not the child.
- pick a location where your child will be comfortable at.
- take into consideration everything you know about your child. Example: don’t invite a lot of people if your child gets dazed with a lot of people.

It was quite challenging choosing a location for my daughter’s birthday. At the end of the day we ended up celebrating at ChuckECheese.

ChuckECheese was ultimately chosen due to their great hospitality and reputation from others. They will host your party for 90 minutes and if you want to stay longer you can for no additional charge.

-TeenDad

MTV’s Teen mom – Farrah is something else

admin — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 23:44:21 +0000

I earlier posted about MTV having their tv show about teens becoming and being parents. I was indifferent as to how I felt believing that MTV would glorify being a teen parent. The show carried on and I was quite surprised at the stories that were being shown.

Off the bat there was a young girl by the name of Farrah. Typical highschool cheerleader attracted to boys who always went out and socialized. From the first point of meeting her and noticing how she acted I knew that she might be the one that may care more about herself than her situation.

Teen Mom is now the second season of 16 and Pregnant. It shows how the previous documented families are now dealing with their new family member. Farrah is also featured in this show and it seems to me that she is the most unfit mother of all the documented mothers. Her main priority is to socialize and worry about herself.

Almost if not always they show her handing her daughter to her mother so she can take care of her while she’s out socializing. I’m very saddened by this to be honest. I try to be the best father ever by being with my daughter at ALL times and wanting to be around her at ALL times.

I care for socializing but there’s a point where I reach and tell myself I should spend time with my daughter. It seems that Farrah can’t get a grip on that.

The attitude she has towards her parents is also very disappointing. She doesn’t realize that her parents are giving her privileges by allowing her to stay at their house and caring for her daughter. She talks back to them and cusses at them when she doesn’t get her way or when her parents bring up the fact that she hardly spends time with her daughter.S

She should realize that she is only in her teens and there will be much more time in her life to socialize. At the very moment her main concern should be her daughter who is not even one year old. I hope the best for them, but at this rate I can’t say there will be good coming her way with the way she acts.

- TeenDad

We’re back!

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:12:12 +0000

Hey all!

Pardon the lack of updates for the past 4 months but we’ve been busy. I’ll be real short right now since it is 4:10 am in Chicago. I’m writing this to let everyone know that all is well, we’re still alive haha and my daughter is doing great. She finally got her heart fixed accordingly and I’ll explain in detail with what we went through.

For now I’ll try to catch some sleep.

-TeenDad

Teen pregnancy: Girls taking the wrap

admin — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Teen pregnancy is a societal problem, a family problem, and a personal problem all rolled into one. While the pregnant teenage girl is the one who stands to suffer the most from the circumstance in the short run, many more problems loom over the horizon. Her family, her child, and often many of her family members will pay a high price for the indiscretion that led to the pregnancy. Certainly, the man involved in the process should be held accountable in a variety of ways. Whether he stand up to his responsibility or not, often the costs associated with teenage pregnancy is still off of the chart financially, emotionally, and in many other ways.

In the United States, 4 out of 10 girls will have one or more babies before their 20th birthday. This is the highest rate of any developed nation. Each year more than 60 of every 1,000 teen girls will deliver a baby. This factors out abortions and miscarriages. Our society pays billions. Almost 40 billion dollars per year go out in welfare and Medicaid funds due to teenage pregnancy and births. Three quarters of teen parents will receive welfare payments within 5 years of their first birth.

Children born to teen moms are sicker, poorer, and less educated as a group than those born to parents in their 20’s. The health problems range from infant death, to cerebral palsy, to dyslexia, to hyperactivity disorder, and respiratory problems. These same children tend to have more behavioral problems because they are raised by teens who frequently lack the ability to master parenting skills. Statistically, they perform worse on standardized tests and are more likely to repeat a grade in school. The scariest part of all is that they are the most likely group to become teen parents and repeat the cycle.

Families agonize over teen pregnancy. However, these are some of the same people who gasp when sex education and contraceptive training is mentioned. While I by no means condone premarital or teen sex, there are certainly times when we can’t stick our heads in the sand as if it doesn’t happen. Families often feel embarrassed by the event. This is not usually because of pregnancy, but because they believe that it makes them look like bad parents.

Girls who have a baby as a teenager don’t fare too well either. Physically, they can have problems because their bodies may not be mature enough or large enough to give birth without consequences. Only 1/3 will finish high school. After that, only 1.5% will get a college degree by the age of 30. One in ten will have their child or children removed to foster care for abuse and neglect compared with 1 in 20 for older parents. It isn’t a matter of taking the blame. The question is do you want to take the lifelong penalty.

The incidence of STD’s rises with sexual activity in teens. So, pregnancy is not the only hazard. Finding a way to reduce teen pregnancy and delay the beginning of sexual experimentation is needed in our society. Education and mentoring programs are showing some hope. However, these programs have to be renewed year after year because every year a new crop of teens steps onto the world stage. Education needs to begin in middle school if it is to have a chance to make a difference throughout the teen years. Parents and churches need to step up and join the process to win this battle.

Morals plus contraception are needed. Abstinence is still the best solution to avoiding this problem altogether. Sports programs, after school activities, and weekend projects can help occupy teens who might otherwise face the temptations of sexual pressure.

Introducing your child to solid food

admin — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 05:00:00 +0000

How do I know if my baby is ready for solid foods?

Babies are strictly on milk for the first six months. The breast milk or formula will give

your baby all the nutrients he needs up to the age of six months. There are a few generic indicators. Your baby is six months of age, your baby is not full with just milk, your baby is waking up through the night repeatedly, your baby opens mouth when you place a plastic spoon or your finger close to her mouth, holds head up on his own and your baby takes particular notice of you when you are eating. If all of these or some are happening, then speak with your paediatrician. It may be time to introduce solids.

When your baby is six months of age, you can start introducing solid foods. You may find that your baby is not full with just milk earlier than six months. If this is the case, see your paediatrician. You may be able to start giving solids earlier. The first solid food to introduce to your baby is baby cereal. Start with rice cereal, it tends to be easier on babies tummy than other cereals. Start with one tablespoon of cereal and either one tablespoon of boiled and then cooled water or formula or breast milk. The liquid that you add should be warm to the touch. The cereal should have a runny consistency at first. You can gradually thicken the cereal once your baby gets used to the taste. After a week of feeding your bundle of joy rice cereal, you can try baby oat cereal. Start with one tablespoon of the oat cereal just as you did with the rice cereal. Try rice cereal in the morning and oat cereal at dinner. It is preferable to give your baby plain cereal at first. Your baby will not be ready for fruit in the rice or oat cereal until he is a bit older. If your baby is irritable, more than usual, has a rash, a swollen tongue, diarrhoea or is constipated, stop giving the food that may be causing the problem. If you cannot figure out what is causing the problem, see your paediatrician. It could be an allergic reaction to whatever you are feeding your baby, but it is better to be safe. There are other cereals you can give instead, for example; Barley cereal. The reason for giving one new food item at a time is to catch any allergic reactions that may occur.

Other reasons for trying one new taste at a time is to give your baby time to adjust to the taste, smell and color. It is much easier to see what is causing an allergic reaction when you are only giving one item at a time. Your baby can also taste the fruit or vegetable on its own. What do carrots taste like? If carrots have peas with it, how do you know if your baby is refusing the food because of the taste of peas, carrots or the combination of the two? It is also harder to decipher whether your baby is allergic to peas or to carrots. Try To give a week to test any new food. This way you can pin point which food your baby is allergic to. If your baby has already tried rice cereal and you are trying beans for the first time, keep giving the rice cereal to your baby as well as the beans. Your baby is already used to the cereal. If there is a reaction at this point, you know that it cannot be the rice cereal because your baby has been fine with it up to this point.

Introducing & Feeding Solids – 12 Tips for Weaning Babies

admin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:18:38 +0000

Have you made the decision?

Have you set that specific date when you are going to start feeding your baby on solid food?

Here are 12 tips that will help you on this journey off weaning your baby.

You will make this choice to start introducing solids to your baby because she has got to the age when you have been advised that is what you should do or because she is really hungry and needs the solid food.

You will be faced with many alternatives and lots of advice as to how to introduce feeding solids to your baby. Babies’ do not come with an instruction leaflet that tells you exactly how and when to start to feed your baby on solid food. You may find the whole weaning thing to be very daunting experience especially if you are a first time parent.

I have instructed many parents as to how to introduce solids and here are twelve of my tried and tested tips.

Weaning tip 1

The best time to introduce a new taste to your baby is when she’s really hungry but not when she is tired and cranky. Don’t give her, her favorite food first otherwise she is less likely to want to try the new taste. In the beginning you may want to add a new taste to one she already likes but you then need to introduce the new taste on its own.

Weaning tip 2

It is easy and much better if you can cook food for your baby and not use jars too often. This can be done easily as you can cook just once a week and freeze the food. Cook the vegetables and fruit, puree them and put them into an ice cube tray and freeze them. Once frozen place them in labeled bags or containers in the freezer.

Weaning tip 3

When you first introduce a new taste to your baby she may react in a negative manner. This is normal. Parents may think that if a baby does not like a food taste the first time then it is best not to give that food to her for a few weeks. Instead try giving it to her for three or four consecutive meals and then she will often react a little more positively at each meal as she gets used to the taste.

Weaning tip 4

Don’t avoid giving your child a food just because you don’t like it. Children will often eat things that their parents don’t like if they are given it.

Weaning tip 5

You can introduce spices to you child’s food from an early age (not salt). If you do this you will raise a child who eats a wide variety different food tastes all throughout her life. As she gets older include a wide variety of different foods everyday and introduce your child to a well balanced diet from early in life.

Weaning tip 6

Sometimes a baby may not be very interested in eating off her spoon; it can help if you let her smell the food. It might be the spoon that she doesn’t like so using a different one may solve the problem. Never add solid food to your baby’s bottle unless instructed to do so by your paediatrician for medical reason.

Weaning tip 7

You do not have to heat up your baby’s food. If your baby gets used to eating food at room temperature it will be easier to feed her when you are away from home.

Weaning tip 8

Let your child enjoy exploring her food with her fingers, she will make a mess but this is part of the enjoyment. This is one of life’s rich positive experiences and most children will enjoy it.

Weaning tip 9

As soon as your child can sit confidently in her chair then think about eating as least one meal together each day as a family. Children learn a lot by watching and copying people. Set a good example to her by having a well balanced diet yourself. Try to make meal times a positive experience for all of you.

Weaning tip 10

Many parents start there baby’s on flavored yogurt this is not necessary. Instead introduce her to plain yogurt and fruit puree.

Here are some suggestions of the fruit you can use:

Apple sauce with a hint of cinnamon

Pear and apple

Cooked peach with apple, pear or banana

Mashed avocado

Apple or pear flavoured with blueberries

Weaning tip 11

Steam all your vegetables and then use the water for sauce or gravy or add to soups.

Weaning tip 12

Don’t give your child food to pacify her as this gets her to associate being calmed with food and this can become a habit for life.

Remember children learn more by what they see you doing so set a good example to your child.

5 months ago today my daughter was born

admin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 23:21:09 +0000

5 months ago

Five months ago my daughter was born. Five months ago today my life changed like it hadn’t changed before. It’s been a long five months but they’ve felt so short. For the first two months we were in and out of the hospital. Now we’re in and out of doctor visits and cardiology appointments.

Many of you readers may know that my daughter was born with many VSD’s in her heart. After finding that out she was admitted to the hospital for a Pulmonary Artery Banding the banding was successful after two surgeries. Now she’s at home with her parents enjoying her life as a little baby.

I can honestly say she is the best baby ever. It’s my first kid ever and I know kids are born every 10 seconds but I can honestly say I’ve been blessed. After all she’s been through we had expected her to need a lot of care and caution and expected us to treat her differently. It’s been nothing like that.

I’m blessed to have a great relationship with my girlfriend, some day to be wife. I love the little family her and I have, and the extended families we’ve been introduced to. I feel like I’ve handled the situation I’ve been dealt with in a very good manner. I love being a dad and I’m proud of it. Waking up next to my soon to be wife and walking up to the crib where our daughter lays watching her smile at us every morning inspires me to have the best day ever.

4 months

I receive comments from people who read this blog saying that I’m doing a great job as a father and that I’m taking the whole situation and doing something with it that is inspiring to others. All of these comments really make me appreciate what I do even more. I first intended this blog to be for my family, so that one day my daughter can grow old and read this and realize that she has always been loved since day one. These are still my intentions but I also plan on helping others with their problems, making this an informative blog about all aspects in parenting.

I really want to thank the hospital and cardiology team that has dealt with my daughter. I know they are use to seeing such cases as hers, but I really just want to take a minute and thank them from the bottom of my heart. They’ve made and done everything possible to maintain our daughter healthy and we reall appreciate that to the fullest.

Children’s Memorial Hospital – Thank you for all that you’ve done.

I love you babe, I’m glad we decided on what was best for her.

- Will.

Parenting tips: Dealing with baby colic

admin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:23:36 +0000

Colic Calm

When my daughter was an infant she suffered from colic, which is an affliction affecting one fifth of babies and most commonly manifests itself as a bloated stomach due to excessive gas. This was my first child and I had never cared for a baby suffering from colic so I was not sure what to do for her; I was not even certain that what she had was colic. I knew that I needed to do some research on the condition which, perhaps, would give me some insight as to what my baby was afflicted with and a clue as to how to treat it.

Around one month old, my daughter began to get fussy in the evenings, from the hours of eight to midnight, and sometimes this lasted on into the mornings. Occasionally she passed gas and she kept her legs pulled up towards her stomach most of the time. She was inconsolable during this time and I was exhausted from the many long nights. In my haste to find out what was wrong with her, I talked to some fellow mothers and offered my own opinion: I expected she was colicky. Most everyone I talked to said that colic was a constant problem that did not ease during the day, but my instincts told me that everyone was wrong, I knew my baby had colic.

I took my daughter to see a chiropractor upon a friend’s suggestion. He was a great help. He showed me some maneuvers to help expel the gas, gave her a very mild spinal adjustment, gave me a probiotic to keep her bowel movements regular, and finally, the chiropractor suggested that I go to the local homeopathic drug store and invest in a product called Colic Calm Gripe Water. After checking with my baby’s pediatrician, I realized that most gripe waters were not suitable for infants. He warned me against buying anything that contained alcohol or sodium bicarbonate (baking soda).

I could not find any Colic Calm in stores, the gripe waters that I did find had baking soda or alcohol in them. Thank heavens for the internet. I found a website devoted to Colic Calm which also gave me some helpful advice and encouragement and allowed me to order a bottle. The product had been recommended by doctors. Not only does it not contain alcohol or baking soda, it does not have any sugars, herbs, wheat, soy, or dairy products and it is FDA approved. Although I was concerned only with relieving my child’s colic, Colic Calm had reportedly relieved not only colic, but acid reflux, teething pains, and the hiccups. There were even a number of adults who had tried the solution for themselves and found relief www.coliccalm.com).

Colic Calm worked wonders for my daughter. Once I had given her the first dose, she began to relax and quit crying. Within two weeks of beginning treatments, her symptoms had vanished for the most part. She began to sleep through the night which was a relief for both of us. She cried a lot less and became a very happy baby who was easy to take care of. I was able to learn more about colic and I was given the tools to deal with it so that I no longer felt helpless against my daughter’s ailment. Colic was a problem no more.

I would recommend this product to any new mother, whether her baby suffers from colic or not. Not only is Colic Calm a great assest to have on hand for colicky babies, but it comes in handy when they begin teething and especially when they have the hiccups. I bought the first bottle and was so impressed with it that I have bought many more, for my child as well as the children of my friends and family. For me, Colic Calm was a miracle in a bottle, well worth the price.