HumorMD Jr is really starting to pick up the pace with his developmental skills. One of his most recent discoveries are his extremities. He spent a good two days simply staring at his feet and following them as he moved them around. Previous to the foot discovery, he had already shown some interest in putting his hands in his mouth. We were already debating over when he would find out that his thumb can indeed extend from his fist and be placed conveniently in his mouth.
He has yet to figure the thumb thing out completely, but since losing interest in his feet, he has gone back to his hands with a vengeance. Little man can nearly get his entire fist into his mouth (impressive given his hand size for an infant) and does so on a regular basis. It is actually difficult to get his pacifier in his mouth sometimes because he is too busy sucking on his own fingers.
One nasty consequence of the finger thing is that he has discovered another even more primitive aspect of himself...his gag reflex. It turns out that if you place your entire hand in your mouth, then you stand a good chance of choking yourself. After a few unexplained spit ups, we finally caught him in the act gagging while he continued to chomp on his little digits.
In an effort to curb this behavior, I've been pretty actively watching him and replacing his fist with his pacifier or other approved baby chew toy whenever he goes for his own fingers. He finally seems to be getting the point and will simply go with whatever I provide. He wasn't a big fan at first though. He would actually let out a whimper and look at me like I stole his bottle. Ridiculous, right? Hopefully, he'll learn to trust his old man. No sense in vomiting on your own fingers when there's a good Sophie the Giraffe chew toy available.
Monday, December 31, 2012
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Tigers, Tebow, and Time and a Half
The post Christmas blues have officially worn off in the HumorMD household. This was likely due to the fact that we worked straight through most of it! I'm in the hospital again this morning and Mrs. HumorMD is finishing up an overnight shift as well. My parents are in town helping us taking care of little guy today. After a little time at home today, we're off to a wedding tonight before I get to head back to the hospital to work the day shift on Sunday. Hopefully I'm not down for the invocation Sunday morning. If so and you're a church member reading this, fill in for me please!
On the sports front, college football is about to make its final push. Bowls with actual meaning will start up this week. My Clemson Tigers play LSU on Monday and you can bet I'll be in front of the TV for that one. Really excited about this game because its a chance for us to prove ourselves versus a quality opponent.
The NFL is also going to be interesting soon. The playoff are the one time in the NFL season when I'll actually watch all the games. I usually just skip around and find teams with certain players I like (i.e CJ Spiller, Tim Tebow). Ironically, those two guys are playing this Sunday. This is likely Tebow's last game as a Jet, and from all accounts that's a good thing for both sides. Hard to figure out how that whole fiasco went down. I don't blame Tebow for being upset about being passed over. He was lied to if he was told he was the backup all season and then didn't get to play when the number one guy is benched. By definition, the next man is up when number one is out. If that isn't you, then you weren't the back up.
I've wrestled with what to think about the rumor that he asked out of playing in certain packages. First, I don't know if its true. If it is true, then my final answer rests on what I would think if HumorMD Jr asked out of a certain play or position in rec league sports. In short, I wouldn't be happy. I'm trying to teach him to put the team first and help the team win in whatever way possible. If the coach lied to you, then that's on him. Your reaction is on you. Tebow has never had a problem with this in the past, and I hope it doesn't happen again. At least we know he's human now, right...
On the sports front, college football is about to make its final push. Bowls with actual meaning will start up this week. My Clemson Tigers play LSU on Monday and you can bet I'll be in front of the TV for that one. Really excited about this game because its a chance for us to prove ourselves versus a quality opponent.
The NFL is also going to be interesting soon. The playoff are the one time in the NFL season when I'll actually watch all the games. I usually just skip around and find teams with certain players I like (i.e CJ Spiller, Tim Tebow). Ironically, those two guys are playing this Sunday. This is likely Tebow's last game as a Jet, and from all accounts that's a good thing for both sides. Hard to figure out how that whole fiasco went down. I don't blame Tebow for being upset about being passed over. He was lied to if he was told he was the backup all season and then didn't get to play when the number one guy is benched. By definition, the next man is up when number one is out. If that isn't you, then you weren't the back up.
I've wrestled with what to think about the rumor that he asked out of playing in certain packages. First, I don't know if its true. If it is true, then my final answer rests on what I would think if HumorMD Jr asked out of a certain play or position in rec league sports. In short, I wouldn't be happy. I'm trying to teach him to put the team first and help the team win in whatever way possible. If the coach lied to you, then that's on him. Your reaction is on you. Tebow has never had a problem with this in the past, and I hope it doesn't happen again. At least we know he's human now, right...
Friday, December 28, 2012
New Food: Bubble Gum
HumorMD Jr had a great experience over the holiday trying a new food. As you'll hear about in a future post, we spent a portion of Christmas Eve at the pediatrician's office with an ear infection (too traumatic to talk about now). We walked away with a prescription for some bubble gum flavored amoxicillin. I surely wish that I had such flavored medicines when I was a kid. Anyone that has ever tasted liquid amoxicillin or augmentin can tell you that you would rather just keep blowing your nose than have to taste that stuff multiple times per day.
I'll admit that I was a bit skeptical about the bubble gum flavor thing. We're talking about the kid that thinks the Rotavirus vaccine tastes like chocolate cake, so I didn't understand why we didn't just give him the original. Don't want to throw him off his game with the whole flavoring thing. Not to mention that it could ruin actual bubble gum. It's going to take him years to figure out that Big League Chew isn't medicine and that you shouldn't immediately swallow it. I don't want him to be the kid standing at second base calling out to the coach that he ran out of gum because he ate all he had. Embarrassing.
Anyway, little man is taking it like a champ. No surprise there for anyone. I haven't tasted it myself, but the stuff surely does smell just like bubble gum. I was going to ask the pharmacist what other flavors could be arranged for when I get a sinus infection, but Mrs. HumorMD nixed that pretty quickly. I think it's an important question though. There are a lot more adults that can't swallow pills than you might think. I'm sure the number of people that take their medicine appropriately would also skyrocket if it tasted good. Can you imagine cholesterol medicine that tastes like creme brulee? It would be awesome. Instead of eating the real thing and shooting up their cholesterol, they can take the medicine and lower it. Add it to HumorMD Jr's franchising opportunities. We just want to make sure we lock up all the royalties right now.
P.S. Here is the updated list of favorite foods:
1. Formula (aka baby crack)
2. Liquid Tylenol
3. Rotavirus vaccine (same link as Tylenol)
4. Sophie the Giraffe
5. Amoxicillin
6. Bubble Gum
I'll admit that I was a bit skeptical about the bubble gum flavor thing. We're talking about the kid that thinks the Rotavirus vaccine tastes like chocolate cake, so I didn't understand why we didn't just give him the original. Don't want to throw him off his game with the whole flavoring thing. Not to mention that it could ruin actual bubble gum. It's going to take him years to figure out that Big League Chew isn't medicine and that you shouldn't immediately swallow it. I don't want him to be the kid standing at second base calling out to the coach that he ran out of gum because he ate all he had. Embarrassing.
Anyway, little man is taking it like a champ. No surprise there for anyone. I haven't tasted it myself, but the stuff surely does smell just like bubble gum. I was going to ask the pharmacist what other flavors could be arranged for when I get a sinus infection, but Mrs. HumorMD nixed that pretty quickly. I think it's an important question though. There are a lot more adults that can't swallow pills than you might think. I'm sure the number of people that take their medicine appropriately would also skyrocket if it tasted good. Can you imagine cholesterol medicine that tastes like creme brulee? It would be awesome. Instead of eating the real thing and shooting up their cholesterol, they can take the medicine and lower it. Add it to HumorMD Jr's franchising opportunities. We just want to make sure we lock up all the royalties right now.
P.S. Here is the updated list of favorite foods:
1. Formula (aka baby crack)
2. Liquid Tylenol
3. Rotavirus vaccine (same link as Tylenol)
4. Sophie the Giraffe
5. Amoxicillin
6. Bubble Gum
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Storage Wars
I know you've heard of the show on TV called Storage Wars. On that show, people buy abandoned storage units so they can sell the contents for profit. After Christmas at the HumorMD household, we can likely fill up several units that those fine folks could sell for a handsome profit. In short, HumorMD Jr racked up. Its incredibly hard to find a toy appropriate for a 3 month old, but my family was up for the challenge. I think they all went to Toys-R-Us and asked to see every toy that either lights up or plays music.
HumorMD Jr loves them all, of course. He can just hang on to the miniature basketball, football, and soccer ball that he now has, and he gets a very intense look on his face when he tries to move one of them. We are trying to encourage him to use his left hand. Given the demand for left handed pitchers vs. right hand pitchers, we figure any good parent would keep this in mind when teaching him how to hold and throw a ball.
As far as the light up/musical toys, he about had a nervous breakdown when he figured out that he can press a button and make the toy light up. He's not strong or coordinated enough to accomplish this on his own on a consistent basis, but he lets out an infant scream of delight every time he manages to do it. His favorite, by far, is his Fun Pad. We like to call it the baby iPad because that's what it looks like to us. In his mind, it's probably more like "the greatest thing since I first saw a ceiling fan." He will stare at it, mesmerized, while it plays and then start rapidly pumping all four of his extremities when it ends. Pretty funny stuff.
That's just the beginning of the series of holiday recap posts that are coming down the pike. HumorMD Jr did quite a lot of new and exciting things. Here's a little sneak peek at things to expect:
HumorMD Jr loves them all, of course. He can just hang on to the miniature basketball, football, and soccer ball that he now has, and he gets a very intense look on his face when he tries to move one of them. We are trying to encourage him to use his left hand. Given the demand for left handed pitchers vs. right hand pitchers, we figure any good parent would keep this in mind when teaching him how to hold and throw a ball.
As far as the light up/musical toys, he about had a nervous breakdown when he figured out that he can press a button and make the toy light up. He's not strong or coordinated enough to accomplish this on his own on a consistent basis, but he lets out an infant scream of delight every time he manages to do it. His favorite, by far, is his Fun Pad. We like to call it the baby iPad because that's what it looks like to us. In his mind, it's probably more like "the greatest thing since I first saw a ceiling fan." He will stare at it, mesmerized, while it plays and then start rapidly pumping all four of his extremities when it ends. Pretty funny stuff.
That's just the beginning of the series of holiday recap posts that are coming down the pike. HumorMD Jr did quite a lot of new and exciting things. Here's a little sneak peek at things to expect:
- New Food: Bubble Gum
- Accidental Baby Bulimia
- The Second Illness
- HumorMD Jr's First Girlfriend
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas everyone! I hope your day is filled with family, friends, and lots of love. I am spending the first part of my morning take care of some patients in the hospital, and then I will be headed out to spend time with my family. My parents are coming into town later but unfortunately I can't be with my extended family today. Our tradition when I was a kid was that I would read the Christmas story on Christmas Eve at my grandmother's house for everyone.
Since the HumorMD family can't be there this year, I've got the next best thing. Here is a video of an adorable 4 year old giving her version of the Christmas story. One day we'll get HumorMD Jr to give his version when he can read. Hope this video helps you enjoy celebrating Christ's birth today. Merry Christmas!
Since the HumorMD family can't be there this year, I've got the next best thing. Here is a video of an adorable 4 year old giving her version of the Christmas story. One day we'll get HumorMD Jr to give his version when he can read. Hope this video helps you enjoy celebrating Christ's birth today. Merry Christmas!
Saturday, December 22, 2012
It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas
Good Saturday morning everyone! Per usual weekend routine when you're in residency, I'm in the hospital right now. I'll be here all day and night until tomorrow morning. Accordingly, I don't have much to talk about today. No matter as the HumorMD blog will be going into holiday mode after today. No posts tomorrow or Christmas Eve. There will be a Merry Christmas message posted Christmas Day that you can enjoy with your family. Otherwise, I hope everyone is out enjoying the season with your loved ones and celebrating Christ's birth.
This would not be a usual Saturday morning post without my college sports run down. Briefly, Duke is for real in case I haven't hammered that point home enough. They also just picked up one of the best recruits in the nation for next year. Coach K is a machine.
Speaking of machines, my Clemson Tigers played like robots versus Coastal Carolina. Coach Brownell apologized to the fans after the game, which I think was deserved. Hopefully this will serve as a wake up call to our players. Embarrasment has a way of doing that.
Today has a wonderful slate of college basketball games. The highlight in my view is Kansas vs. Ohio State. I'm hoping that I can get some down time here in the hospital to catch some of it. Don't really have an opinion on who wins, so I get to relax and just enjoy a good game.
Lastly, UNC plays McNeese St tonight. You might ask why I would even bring this game up? Well, UNC hasn't looked that hot recently, and losing this game could put them in a tailspin before our little holiday break. Crucial for the Tar Heels to win like they're supposed to. If not, look out for one of those "might not make the tournament" seasons that Roy Williams throws in every now and then.
That's all for now. Enjoy your weekend and Merry Christmas!
This would not be a usual Saturday morning post without my college sports run down. Briefly, Duke is for real in case I haven't hammered that point home enough. They also just picked up one of the best recruits in the nation for next year. Coach K is a machine.
Speaking of machines, my Clemson Tigers played like robots versus Coastal Carolina. Coach Brownell apologized to the fans after the game, which I think was deserved. Hopefully this will serve as a wake up call to our players. Embarrasment has a way of doing that.
Today has a wonderful slate of college basketball games. The highlight in my view is Kansas vs. Ohio State. I'm hoping that I can get some down time here in the hospital to catch some of it. Don't really have an opinion on who wins, so I get to relax and just enjoy a good game.
Lastly, UNC plays McNeese St tonight. You might ask why I would even bring this game up? Well, UNC hasn't looked that hot recently, and losing this game could put them in a tailspin before our little holiday break. Crucial for the Tar Heels to win like they're supposed to. If not, look out for one of those "might not make the tournament" seasons that Roy Williams throws in every now and then.
That's all for now. Enjoy your weekend and Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 21, 2012
Looking Backwards
Maybe I over think things, but its pretty interesting how HumorMD Jr likes to be carried. He enjoys taking in his surroundings, so he prefers to be held upright on your shoulder with his head looking backwards. That way, he can charm whoever is behind you while you walk around. By the way, the added bonus here is that any spit up he decides to produce ends up on the ground behind you. Sorry lady in the check out line behind me. Just keep a safe distance, and you'll make it through just fine.
On a deeper level though, this set up is interesting. As HumorMD Jr's father, I'm thinking about what's coming for him. I'm constantly planning for his future and trying to prepare him for it. I know what's coming and what he needs to do right now to be ready. In short, I'm looking foward.
On the contrary, HumorMD Jr is looking back. He's looking back at me when I'm trying to get him to do Tummy Time, making sure that I'm there. He's looking back at me when I put him on his play mat so that he knows I think it's safe. All he knows is what he has done so far in life. He has to look to me for guidance on the future because I've been there, and he hasn't.
By now, you know what's coming. This entire thing is a metaphor for our relationship with God. In short, He knows and we don't. All we have to rely on personally is our limited experience stumbling around trying to figure things out. On the contrary, He knows it all. If we'll just let Him carry us, He'll take us the right way without us even being able to see where we're going.
Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You do I wait all the day long. Psalm 25:4-5
Think about that when you see a child being held looking back over his/her parent's shoulder. That's you. I know you think you're hot stuff and can handle it all like I do sometimes. The truth is you can't, and you need help. I could take this metaphor a step further and tie it in to HumorMD Jr's spit up, but I'll spare you today. Jesus always knew exactly when to end a proverb, and I'm trying to learn from the best!
On a deeper level though, this set up is interesting. As HumorMD Jr's father, I'm thinking about what's coming for him. I'm constantly planning for his future and trying to prepare him for it. I know what's coming and what he needs to do right now to be ready. In short, I'm looking foward.
On the contrary, HumorMD Jr is looking back. He's looking back at me when I'm trying to get him to do Tummy Time, making sure that I'm there. He's looking back at me when I put him on his play mat so that he knows I think it's safe. All he knows is what he has done so far in life. He has to look to me for guidance on the future because I've been there, and he hasn't.
By now, you know what's coming. This entire thing is a metaphor for our relationship with God. In short, He knows and we don't. All we have to rely on personally is our limited experience stumbling around trying to figure things out. On the contrary, He knows it all. If we'll just let Him carry us, He'll take us the right way without us even being able to see where we're going.
Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You do I wait all the day long. Psalm 25:4-5
Think about that when you see a child being held looking back over his/her parent's shoulder. That's you. I know you think you're hot stuff and can handle it all like I do sometimes. The truth is you can't, and you need help. I could take this metaphor a step further and tie it in to HumorMD Jr's spit up, but I'll spare you today. Jesus always knew exactly when to end a proverb, and I'm trying to learn from the best!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)