A rare picture of my mom and dad together, with their grand-daughter. Taken in LA over Thanksgiving weekend. And rare because Kaitlyn is smiling!
Grandma Corinne and smiling Kaitlyn!
Grandpa Poppy and once again, a smiling Katilyn. I think this is the most smiles we've had captured on film in a long time! Guess she needs to be around her grandparents more! :)
Grandpa Poppy helping Kaitlyn on the piano
Our little one reading on the potty (taking after her father). we've had a few more peepees in the potty, but still have a ways to go to being toilet trained!Happy Belated Thanksgiving!
Here’s a quick run-down of recent events with the McCarthys:
I went to Las Vegas for a work trip for 5 days in mid-December (Kaitlyn was NOT very happy to have mom gone).
Upon returning, I worked 2 days straight with an out of town home buyer, then left the day after that for Los Angeles for Thanksgiving. (Just Kaitlyn and I, as Brian had to work on Thanksgiving). We drove to LA from SF. Quite a feat. Kaitlyn had just caught a cold too, so lots of vomiting, no eating, made for a really fun (and LONG) drive.
Sadly, on Thanksgiving evening, my Step-Grandfather George passed away. He was 98 and had been very sick for the last 6 months, but it was very hard on everyone. My mother was so torn, as she rarely gets to see Kaitlyn, but there were so many things to do to support my step-father, Rich. It was a very sad time for all of us.
I decided to drive home late on Sunday to try to avoid the Holiday traffic, so I left LA at 7:30pm and made it home at 2:30 in the morning. Much easier driving with a toddler while she is sleeping.
The next day my nanny was working elsewhere and I was a stress case as on Tuesday I had to give a presentation to 65 people which I haven’t even started yet! Our nanny was able to come at about 1:00. So I started work on my presentation. At about 5:30 pm, she came to my office in tears. She was in terrible, terrible pain. (I felt horrible that she was watching Kaitlyn and I hadn’t even realized she was sick). She ended up having to go to the Emergency room, and was admitted with gallstones and an enlarged pancreas. She stayed for 3 nights.
Brian had to work on Tuesday, the day of my presentation, and now I found myself without childcare. What in the world was I going to do? Thankfully, my wonderful friend Lucy helped me out, and I brought Kaitlyn to her house and said, if she can eat a bite or two of yogurt that’s fine with me.
The day finally ended and can I tell you I was exhausted! I don’t think I’ve slept in 3 weeks.
Our nanny wasn’t able to work for a week which meant not much work for mom getting done.
She’s sort of part-time now, while she’s still dealing with a lot of medical issues.
It’s made me realize a few things:
I don’t know how working mom’s do it? Without help, I’m a complete basket case. By the 5th feed of the day I’m so frustrated, cleaning up vomit. Taking her to her multiple therapies each week and then using my one hour of nap time to try to get something done….
I’m so lucky to have such a wonderful care-giver. Now that I’ve gone without her again, I am so much more appreciative of her help and love for Kaitlyn.
Kaitlyn now no longer likes me to leave her side. I think it was due to my going out of town for 5 days. She’s a basket-case if I’m away from her, but this is typical toddler behavior, which is a great thing if you know Kaitlyn’s history of not-bonding.
Kaitlyn is no where closer to understanding how to chew. She’s continue to gag and vomit and/or swallows food whole. She is still eating purees like a champ however, but we get terrible refusal behavior if we don’t have her DVD to watch. I cant’ wait until we can get rid of that distraction! I feel like a HORRIBLE mother when I have to feed her in public and I whip out the DVD. Oh, if they only knew that just a few months ago she ate nothing at all!
Well, that’s about it for now. I know you’ve all been anxious for some news.
Here’s a quick run-down of recent events with the McCarthys:
I went to Las Vegas for a work trip for 5 days in mid-December (Kaitlyn was NOT very happy to have mom gone).
Upon returning, I worked 2 days straight with an out of town home buyer, then left the day after that for Los Angeles for Thanksgiving. (Just Kaitlyn and I, as Brian had to work on Thanksgiving). We drove to LA from SF. Quite a feat. Kaitlyn had just caught a cold too, so lots of vomiting, no eating, made for a really fun (and LONG) drive.
Sadly, on Thanksgiving evening, my Step-Grandfather George passed away. He was 98 and had been very sick for the last 6 months, but it was very hard on everyone. My mother was so torn, as she rarely gets to see Kaitlyn, but there were so many things to do to support my step-father, Rich. It was a very sad time for all of us.
I decided to drive home late on Sunday to try to avoid the Holiday traffic, so I left LA at 7:30pm and made it home at 2:30 in the morning. Much easier driving with a toddler while she is sleeping.
The next day my nanny was working elsewhere and I was a stress case as on Tuesday I had to give a presentation to 65 people which I haven’t even started yet! Our nanny was able to come at about 1:00. So I started work on my presentation. At about 5:30 pm, she came to my office in tears. She was in terrible, terrible pain. (I felt horrible that she was watching Kaitlyn and I hadn’t even realized she was sick). She ended up having to go to the Emergency room, and was admitted with gallstones and an enlarged pancreas. She stayed for 3 nights.
Brian had to work on Tuesday, the day of my presentation, and now I found myself without childcare. What in the world was I going to do? Thankfully, my wonderful friend Lucy helped me out, and I brought Kaitlyn to her house and said, if she can eat a bite or two of yogurt that’s fine with me.
The day finally ended and can I tell you I was exhausted! I don’t think I’ve slept in 3 weeks.
Our nanny wasn’t able to work for a week which meant not much work for mom getting done.
She’s sort of part-time now, while she’s still dealing with a lot of medical issues.
It’s made me realize a few things:
I don’t know how working mom’s do it? Without help, I’m a complete basket case. By the 5th feed of the day I’m so frustrated, cleaning up vomit. Taking her to her multiple therapies each week and then using my one hour of nap time to try to get something done….
I’m so lucky to have such a wonderful care-giver. Now that I’ve gone without her again, I am so much more appreciative of her help and love for Kaitlyn.
Kaitlyn now no longer likes me to leave her side. I think it was due to my going out of town for 5 days. She’s a basket-case if I’m away from her, but this is typical toddler behavior, which is a great thing if you know Kaitlyn’s history of not-bonding.
Kaitlyn is no where closer to understanding how to chew. She’s continue to gag and vomit and/or swallows food whole. She is still eating purees like a champ however, but we get terrible refusal behavior if we don’t have her DVD to watch. I cant’ wait until we can get rid of that distraction! I feel like a HORRIBLE mother when I have to feed her in public and I whip out the DVD. Oh, if they only knew that just a few months ago she ate nothing at all!
Well, that’s about it for now. I know you’ve all been anxious for some news.
5 comments:
oh let the people think what they want. you (and moms like you) know too well how the simple act of eating is not simple at all.
miss K is getting so big and so cute. that smile is dazzling!
so sorry to hear about your step-grandfather.
i agree on the good fortune of a good, loving caregiver making our juggling acts somewhat easier. we are blessed.
I'm with the above comment... Let people think what they want, your child is FINALLY eating and has come a long way because of the DVD player and if they dont' like it they can stuff it... HUGS!!!
I am sorry to hear of the loss of your step-grandfather. Please know that our thoughts and prayers go out to your family at this time.
Oh and seriously... Could Kaitlyn get any greaking cuter??
It is so great to see that gorgeous smile. When I started reading your blog there was never any smiles so it is lovely to see. If she can smile like that and start having attachment issues then it is only a matter of time before the eating is resolved too. Here's holding thumbs!
Sorry about your step-grandfather.
Her smile is priceless! She looks so happy! What a sweet little girl (that looks EXACTLY like you!!) I wish eating was going better for you guys. You are doing a great job. Don't give up, look how far she's come! I am confident that she'll "get it" one of these days!
The smiles are so great to see! It is really impressive to see her progress!
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