Carnegie Science Center Story #2
Nathan was fascinated by the trains, but he smiled the broadest at natural disaster.
There is, at the Science Center, an earthquake simulator as part of the "Natural Forces" exhibit. It's a little cafe booth that you sit down in and choose your own earthquake (San Francisco, Chile, Australia). It then shakes and rumbles and rocks. The lighting fixture rocks back and forth, but nothing falls on you. Dave and I got in with Nathan and fired up a 7.8 quake. Though choruses of "Never, never, never shake your baby" were running through my mind, Nathan was smiling ear to ear and enjoying the ride.
I guess even though he was conceived and born in the Keystone State, there is Californian in him, nonetheless.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
It's in the genes, I guess
Back in 2005, the day I graduated from medical school, my entourage and I took a trip to the Carnegie Science Center. It was a fun day of wind tunnels, simulated earthquakes, and meteor rubbing. Noah was the only kid in the group, but we all frolicked. The most fun, however, was definitely had by my dad in the miniature train exhibit. It's a pretty cool exhibit, running 5 trains and a tram car with scale replicas of many famous and historical sights from Western PA. The lighting changes over the course of an hour or so to go from sunrise to sunset to sunrise again.
Some months later, when my dad visited again, one of the first things he asked for was to visit the trains again. We weren't able to because it was closed for renovation and I am sure that was the low point of his trip.
Today we took Nathan to the Science Center and learned that besides hand shape and broad shoulders he has something else in common with his Buff Grandpa. He LOVED the trains. From the moment we walked into the room, he was mesmerized. He tracked every train as it came and went with an enthusiastic flapping of legs and arms. It was genuine fun to watch him study the little lit up buildings and the glowing trains. Though this time I was the only one making "choo choo" noises, he kept up a constant babble of "bwah, bwah, bwah". He looked from track to mommy, to daddy with an incredulous, "are you seeing this?" look on his face.
My dad is coming to visit in a few weeks and I look forward to watching them enjoy the trains together.
Some months later, when my dad visited again, one of the first things he asked for was to visit the trains again. We weren't able to because it was closed for renovation and I am sure that was the low point of his trip.
Today we took Nathan to the Science Center and learned that besides hand shape and broad shoulders he has something else in common with his Buff Grandpa. He LOVED the trains. From the moment we walked into the room, he was mesmerized. He tracked every train as it came and went with an enthusiastic flapping of legs and arms. It was genuine fun to watch him study the little lit up buildings and the glowing trains. Though this time I was the only one making "choo choo" noises, he kept up a constant babble of "bwah, bwah, bwah". He looked from track to mommy, to daddy with an incredulous, "are you seeing this?" look on his face.
My dad is coming to visit in a few weeks and I look forward to watching them enjoy the trains together.Sunday, June 21, 2009
Fathers, Part II: The Wonderful
Last year I said I was blessed to know a wonderful father. Mine. Fun. Always present. My biggest fan. Enthusiastic. Always good to me. I have been lucky to have him around helping me figure out how to be who I want to be. I'm glad he gets to be around to know Nathan and Nathan gets to know him. The distance between us makes me sad, but hopefully it is a temporary one. In the meantime, we'll spend a lot of time at airports. Just like this.
This year I know another wonderful father. Dave. I have explained before how I feel like he shoulders more than his share of the parenting load. He makes our son laugh like no one else can. I am lucky to share parenthood with someone who can make up a song about poopy diapers. I knew he would be a great father. I am glad to say I am right. Nathan adores him, and as you can see, the feeling is mutual.
This year I know another wonderful father. Dave. I have explained before how I feel like he shoulders more than his share of the parenting load. He makes our son laugh like no one else can. I am lucky to share parenthood with someone who can make up a song about poopy diapers. I knew he would be a great father. I am glad to say I am right. Nathan adores him, and as you can see, the feeling is mutual. Saturday, June 20, 2009
Fathers, Part I: The Bad
I have mentioned before that we like to watch a few TV shows around here. One of them is "Family Guy". This is the perfect storm of comedy. A family whose characters never age. An intelligent talking dog who is understood by one and all. A "Pinky and the Brain"-esque baby with a homicidal streak whom no one understands except the dog. Spoofs, musical numbers, complete non sequiturs, and just enough of a plot to hold it all together. Sure, I've never understood the chicken fights, but the clip with the head of the maid's union is the funniest 10 seconds of TV ever.
I do have a problem with the show, however, and that is Peter. If he is an example of American fathers we should not be surprised that so many families are breaking down. He is an undereducated bumbling oaf who is always doing something he shouldn't. His children don't respect him and even his dog talks disparagingly to and about him. His interactions with his kids walk a line between oblivious disconnection and slightly taunting mockery. He often makes sexist comments but nevertheless, his affection for his wife is actually as believable as cartoon love can be, and he does have the good sense to recognize that she's the best thing he's got. That said, he is in a constant state of trying to trick her or hide something from her.
Now, here's the thing. Peter is funny exactly because he is stupid, racist, and misogynistic, but his comments, quoted to another in the context of a real life relationship, would be belittling and unkind. I don't pretend to think that anyone looks at the Griffins and thinks "That's the role model for my family!" but I do think that people quote him because they think he's funny. I also think that argument made against children watching violent programming holds true here. If we can become immune to violence, then why not disrespect and ridicule? Do we really want to fill our heads with people acting in a way we would not want ourselves or our loved ones to act? Even if we are mature enough to know it's just TV, how much does it affect our subconscious?
I don't know the full answers to all these questions but it is food for thought. I know that I think the show is funny. I know that I'm going to keep watching. I know that I don't want Nathan to watch. Lastly, I know that I am glad that neither my Dad nor Nathan's act like the elder Griffin.
I do have a problem with the show, however, and that is Peter. If he is an example of American fathers we should not be surprised that so many families are breaking down. He is an undereducated bumbling oaf who is always doing something he shouldn't. His children don't respect him and even his dog talks disparagingly to and about him. His interactions with his kids walk a line between oblivious disconnection and slightly taunting mockery. He often makes sexist comments but nevertheless, his affection for his wife is actually as believable as cartoon love can be, and he does have the good sense to recognize that she's the best thing he's got. That said, he is in a constant state of trying to trick her or hide something from her.
Now, here's the thing. Peter is funny exactly because he is stupid, racist, and misogynistic, but his comments, quoted to another in the context of a real life relationship, would be belittling and unkind. I don't pretend to think that anyone looks at the Griffins and thinks "That's the role model for my family!" but I do think that people quote him because they think he's funny. I also think that argument made against children watching violent programming holds true here. If we can become immune to violence, then why not disrespect and ridicule? Do we really want to fill our heads with people acting in a way we would not want ourselves or our loved ones to act? Even if we are mature enough to know it's just TV, how much does it affect our subconscious?
I don't know the full answers to all these questions but it is food for thought. I know that I think the show is funny. I know that I'm going to keep watching. I know that I don't want Nathan to watch. Lastly, I know that I am glad that neither my Dad nor Nathan's act like the elder Griffin.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Roses & Thorns
Too busy creating memories to do this last week, so here's a sampling from the last few weeks:
Roses:
1. Nathan successfully cured of sinus infection
2. Nathan put himself on an every 4 hour eating schedule (HUGE improvement from every 2-3 over night)
3. Fellowship, and the time of finally doing what I want to do, is drawing nearer. Only 4 shifts left at my current job.
4. Work going pretty well for Dave.
5. My car has a pretty new paint job.
6. Survived an epic thunderstorm/tornado warning with no damage save a little water in the basement
7. Good friend Chuck came to visit and proved to be endlessly entertaining to our boy.
8. Replaced old & busted rusted grill with new hotness grill
9. Our wonderful boy wakes up with a smile on his face and hoots softly until someone comes to play with him
10. First baby cereal experience went VERY well - and we had TWO photographers covering the event
Thorns:
1. Two days after antibiotic completion, Nathan developed new day care cold
2. Daddy and Mommy seem to be fighting this one off as well.
3. I'm having quite a few sleepless nights at work leaving me sleep deprived even though Nate's schedule is getting friendlier.
4. Fellowship, and the time of the 80 hour work week, is drawing nearer
5. Nathan is spending more time at daycare
As usual, our blessings outweigh the difficulties. We have jobs, a home, enough to eat, a healthy baby, and wonderful family and friends. Our thorns are small.
Roses:
1. Nathan successfully cured of sinus infection
2. Nathan put himself on an every 4 hour eating schedule (HUGE improvement from every 2-3 over night)
3. Fellowship, and the time of finally doing what I want to do, is drawing nearer. Only 4 shifts left at my current job.
4. Work going pretty well for Dave.
5. My car has a pretty new paint job.
6. Survived an epic thunderstorm/tornado warning with no damage save a little water in the basement
7. Good friend Chuck came to visit and proved to be endlessly entertaining to our boy.
8. Replaced old & busted rusted grill with new hotness grill
9. Our wonderful boy wakes up with a smile on his face and hoots softly until someone comes to play with him
10. First baby cereal experience went VERY well - and we had TWO photographers covering the event
Thorns:
1. Two days after antibiotic completion, Nathan developed new day care cold
2. Daddy and Mommy seem to be fighting this one off as well.
3. I'm having quite a few sleepless nights at work leaving me sleep deprived even though Nate's schedule is getting friendlier.
4. Fellowship, and the time of the 80 hour work week, is drawing nearer
5. Nathan is spending more time at daycare
As usual, our blessings outweigh the difficulties. We have jobs, a home, enough to eat, a healthy baby, and wonderful family and friends. Our thorns are small.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Excrement and Emesis
Warning! Potty humor and bodily functions abound.
On our last day in Hilton Head, I finally admitted that Nathan was sick. When we left home he was "recovering" from his last bout of day care gripe. He was in good spirits and the fever was gone but he was still plagued with festive colored snot, especially in the morning. A week later, that part still hadn't gotten better. As a pediatrician, I staunchly held out until that 10-12 day mark that indicates that no, your child is probably not going to get better without pharmacologic intervention. As a mommy, I watched my sweet boy get a little crankier, a little more easily disturbed with each passing day. His eyes got puffy and his nose got even grosser. So, I finally called his doctor and did what I really, really did not want to do. I procured some amoxicillin.
He hates the stuff. With the ear infection it was a twice daily mewling, spitting, pink-bubblegum-smearing battle to get about half a dose into him with equal amount of time spent cleaning it off everywhere else afterwards. I had never before conceived of a teaspoon as an impossibly large quantity of liquid but it is a nearly insurmountable obstacle. Needless to say, I breathed a sigh of relief when his ear recheck was normal and we stopped the meds about 3 days early. This time around I waited until there was a flashing neon "SICK" sign over his head before I gave in and admitted he may need an antibiotic.
Anyway, there we were, on vacation, with a syringe full of sticky amox and a boy who has a very sensitive gag reflex. Here's the bullet point version of events.
- Nathan took about 3/4 of the dose.
- Distressed look
- Medicine returned with interest - about 4 ounces of warm, freshly consumed leche de madre.
- Mommy, who hates vomit more than any other bodily secretion, flees to jacuzzi tub, shedding warm, wet, stinky clothing
- Daddy and Nathan follow in appreciation of chance to sit in tub
- Tub filling slowly
- Mommy swishing
- Nathan poops in tub
- Tub emptied
- Tub cleaned
- Tub filling, slowly.
- Praying for sufficient hot water
- Nathan, sitting in mommy's lap in tub, poops - again
- Hysteric laughter
- Tub emptied
- Mommy showers
- Tub cleaned
- Tub filled, slowly, lukewarm.
- Finally, tub enjoyed by all.
On our last day in Hilton Head, I finally admitted that Nathan was sick. When we left home he was "recovering" from his last bout of day care gripe. He was in good spirits and the fever was gone but he was still plagued with festive colored snot, especially in the morning. A week later, that part still hadn't gotten better. As a pediatrician, I staunchly held out until that 10-12 day mark that indicates that no, your child is probably not going to get better without pharmacologic intervention. As a mommy, I watched my sweet boy get a little crankier, a little more easily disturbed with each passing day. His eyes got puffy and his nose got even grosser. So, I finally called his doctor and did what I really, really did not want to do. I procured some amoxicillin.
He hates the stuff. With the ear infection it was a twice daily mewling, spitting, pink-bubblegum-smearing battle to get about half a dose into him with equal amount of time spent cleaning it off everywhere else afterwards. I had never before conceived of a teaspoon as an impossibly large quantity of liquid but it is a nearly insurmountable obstacle. Needless to say, I breathed a sigh of relief when his ear recheck was normal and we stopped the meds about 3 days early. This time around I waited until there was a flashing neon "SICK" sign over his head before I gave in and admitted he may need an antibiotic.
Anyway, there we were, on vacation, with a syringe full of sticky amox and a boy who has a very sensitive gag reflex. Here's the bullet point version of events.
- Nathan took about 3/4 of the dose.
- Distressed look
- Medicine returned with interest - about 4 ounces of warm, freshly consumed leche de madre.
- Mommy, who hates vomit more than any other bodily secretion, flees to jacuzzi tub, shedding warm, wet, stinky clothing
- Daddy and Nathan follow in appreciation of chance to sit in tub
- Tub filling slowly
- Mommy swishing
- Nathan poops in tub
- Tub emptied
- Tub cleaned
- Tub filling, slowly.
- Praying for sufficient hot water
- Nathan, sitting in mommy's lap in tub, poops - again
- Hysteric laughter
- Tub emptied
- Mommy showers
- Tub cleaned
- Tub filled, slowly, lukewarm.
- Finally, tub enjoyed by all.
Final score - Meds ingested: 0, Squeaky Clean Elsters: 3, Rookie Parent Mistakes: at least a dozen
Fortified by an afternoon nap, Dave and I were able to laugh at the whole comedy of errors. It wasn't until later, however, that Nate did as well . . . (click to see a laughing baby)
Unexpected
I had a few surprising mommy moments in the last 24 hours.
1) After immunizations yesterday, Nathan basically just wanted to lay on my chest and snuggle. He napped with a hand resting, for reassurance, on his food source. I rubbed his head, inhaled his sweet baby smell, and thought that it was kind of nice to have a cuddly day. These days he just wants to sit and stand and bounce. Not that I was glad he wasn't feeling well. But seriously, without trivializing the pain of parents with seriously ill children, am I the first mom whose ever looked at her snuggly slightly sick baby and thought it was kind of nice?
2) During a HUGE thunder and lightning storm last night, the one that brought tornado sightings to Pittsburgh, we lost power. No big emergency. That's happened before and we have a ton of candles and a gas stove and water heater. Never before, however, has Dave gone out driving through flooded and storm darkened streets to transport 100 ounces of frozen breast milk to a safe and still powered locale. (Thanks Dave & Emily!!)
3) Too lazy to light a candle, I changed a diaper last night in the pitch black of Nathan's room. I did it by feel, and did it quite well. At least it didn't leak.
1) After immunizations yesterday, Nathan basically just wanted to lay on my chest and snuggle. He napped with a hand resting, for reassurance, on his food source. I rubbed his head, inhaled his sweet baby smell, and thought that it was kind of nice to have a cuddly day. These days he just wants to sit and stand and bounce. Not that I was glad he wasn't feeling well. But seriously, without trivializing the pain of parents with seriously ill children, am I the first mom whose ever looked at her snuggly slightly sick baby and thought it was kind of nice?
2) During a HUGE thunder and lightning storm last night, the one that brought tornado sightings to Pittsburgh, we lost power. No big emergency. That's happened before and we have a ton of candles and a gas stove and water heater. Never before, however, has Dave gone out driving through flooded and storm darkened streets to transport 100 ounces of frozen breast milk to a safe and still powered locale. (Thanks Dave & Emily!!)
3) Too lazy to light a candle, I changed a diaper last night in the pitch black of Nathan's room. I did it by feel, and did it quite well. At least it didn't leak.
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