QUICK! Help me decide!!

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The next iheartfaces photo challenge is going to open up sometime tonight or tomorrow (most likely tonight due to Easter) and I CANNOT decide which photo to enter! The theme is pets and here are my best photos already edited. Tell me which one you think is the best and that will be the one I enter. THANKS!!

When do I say "enough"?

>I need your help friends. I mean, really need your help. I'm asking all you regular lurkers out there to actually leave me a comment and tell me what to do. I know, shocking.

As I mentioned in my last post Logan has been in daycare a total of THREE days and has been bit by three different children FOUR times. Yes, one child actually bit him twice, once on each arm. Since the initial shock of my child being injured while in someone else's care by another child has lessened over the last few days, my anger over the consistent occurrences has only increased. Taking Logan to daycare to begin with was a big deal. I was worried that he would miss me, that he would realize that everyone in the room was a new person and I had not been there to help him get aquatinted and comfortable with his teachers and the other kids. I worried that he would not take a nap, that he would sit alone in a corner and not participate in activities, and that he would cry and cry and cry. My heart ached with these concerns as the days approached and not once did the thought of him getting hurt cross my mind. I'm totally aware of his risk of falling and bonking and bruising from play but never from another child. So when I brought him home and told my mom and B that Logan had been bit TWICE, we were all fuming.

My heart broke thinking about him being hurt and wondering where I was to make it all better, to kiss his boo boos and hold him until he felt better. Logan happens to be a little dramatic when he gets hurt and while I do my damnedest to NOT help fuel that by gasping or instantly running to his side, he still cries. I want him to know that not every single time he bonks his head does it mean he's actually hurt. But this is not what this post is about. This is about other kids biting my kid at daycare.

So here is where I need your help. I need to know what to do. I've worked in daycares before and I don't remember kids biting each other. Sure there were squabbles and such, but I do not recall a single child ever having an issue with other children so much so that he was going home every night with a new bite or bruise caused by another child. I'm sure if I had, that I would have had a serious talking to about how our supervision of the children needs to improve, even though we were there. Anyway, I'm lost. I have made countless mistakes as a parent and I don't want to just jump ship from what could be a potentially good daycare just because Logan is being bit by other children every.single.day. It's not like the teachers are encouraging it and the director has been very honest with me about what they are doing to try and prevent it. Even so, he is still being bit. He has a buddy in his class and they've both been in the class the same amount of time and he has not been bit. I don't get it. The teachers are telling me that Logan is not the only child being bit. So what the hell is going on?!

Logan is not the youngest kiddo in his class, but I would put money on him having the fewest teeth. He has been a late bloomer with getting his teeth and I would be livid if BECAUSE he has been getting bit that he himself adopts that form of ill toddler communication. LIVID!! My mom has been in early childcare for 20+ years but does not have recent experience with a group of 1 year olds. She works with 3 year olds, kids who have words and understand directions, etc. Regardless, she cannot believe this is happening every day. I cannot believe it. As I said, I am trying not to bail right away and blame the daycare. Finding another daycare is a huge pain in the ass and there are several perks of him going to this particular one, the main one being he is a block away from where I work.

So please help me out here! I am at a loss. Obviously Logan quickly forgets what is happening to him and so far none of the bites have broken the skin. I've notified his doctor and have yet to hear back. Thank you SO MUCH for any and all advice you can offer! No more bites for my baby!

Wednesday Mish-Mash

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(found Logan asleep like this a few nights ago)

• My running re-cap for last week is pretty lame due to the fact that I only ran twice and the weather was crappy. I still go up and down on how motivated I am to get out there and do it. I know for sure that I hate running inside on a treadmill. Seeing how long and how far I have been running actually makes it harder for me to keep going. I have a better/faster pace, but the moment I hit one mile the wind in my sails goes away and I justify running a mile and that was good enough. 
• I'm still trying to decide what kind of runner I want to be. Maybe running 1-2 miles a few times a week is all I really want to do. I know regardless, the fact that I am doing it at all is good. I'm staying active and healthy. A few goals I have set are not realistic for me--not yet anyway. 
• I am so effing sick of the cold, windy weather I could cry. Seriously. Come on summer!
• My new job is going very well! I love what I am doing and the opportunities I have. Only been there two days and I already have a chance of becoming a full time benefit eligible employee, which has been my goal all along. The people are so nice!
• Logan has been in daycare the last two days and has been bit a total of 3 times. Yes, my child is coming home with bruises! I would be lying if I said I was just kinda mad. I'm fuming!! My heart breaks at the thought of Logan being hurt by another kiddo. Seems that there are a few biters in his class and he is not the only one being bit. This makes me feel a little better and after a long conversation with the director yesterday they have a very solid plan on how to get the biting to stop. He is home with me today and will return the rest of the week. If he is bit again I might just loose it on them!
• I'm going shopping today for new clothes for work and I'm actually pretty excited about it! I love getting new clothes.
• I cannot finish a cup of coffee at home to save my life but at work I drink 2-3 cups in an hour! What the?
• And that is it. Have a great week everyone!!

March for Babies: Logan's Story

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http://www.youtube.com/get_player

(the first video right after Logan was born. listen to his cry--it's not normal)

I know most of you have read Logan's birth story and outside of that there is not a lot to say about Logan's NICU stay. I tried to be as detailed as I could, but there is more to say.

Anytime I received the March of Dimes letters in the mail asking for donations with a dime in the envelope with cute return address labels I instantly assumed March of Dimes was specifically for babies who were born prematurely. I also assumed that most babies who ended up in the NICU were there for that same reason and or some tragic disease or deformity. I did not educate myself on March of Dimes nor did I participate in any kind of donation or walk. Without a second thought I would pocket that dime and file away the return labels and not take a second thought about it. Now, I feel guilty. I feel like I should have known better.

As most of you know I had a fairly normal pregnancy. There was brief concern that I might go prematurely but Logan hung out in his oven for a full 41 weeks. We were never expecting a big baby and I had no issues with blood pressure or diabetes. My doctors were perfectly happy letting Logan hang out as long as he needed to. Inducing never came up between us. Problems with labor and delivery never came up either. Sure we were aware that "anything can happen" and while we had a fairly specific birth plan our doctors urged us to keep an open mind. Of course if my health or Logan's were to become jeopardized we gave all our faith in not only the doctors but our Great Physician. I prayed and prayed that everything would go smoothly. My greatest fear was dying and leaving B all alone with our son who'd never get to see my face. It nearly killed me. That fear, however, never crossed my mind once labor hit. B was an incredible coach and helped me remain focused throughout all 18 hours of my labor and delivery.

The moment Logan's slippery body emerged and he took his first breath I felt my heart explode. It literally took my breath away. I could not believe that I had just pushed a baby out of me, that I had helped create and grow this other human being. B could not stop saying how beautiful he was. Over and over. I had tears running down the sides of my face, as if they could never stop. I have no idea how many people were in the room, but I do know that the peds team from the NICU was there because there was meconium in Logan's bag of water. That was just protocol. Little did we know necessary their presence quickly became.

I believe that nurses are trained to say the right things at the right time. I clearly remember a soft voice telling me that he was having a little trouble breathing and to put my O2 mask near his face. The mask took over his small dimensions, his eyes squeezed tightly, crying. When I look back at the video and listen to his cry, it is obvious that he is having a hard time taking in a full breath.

Logan and B were both whisked off to the nursery and I was left alone to be cleaned up. Three hours later I saw our new son in the NICU. It is no place any parent ever anticipates their baby ending up, especially a full-term baby. When I tell other mamas that Logan was in the NICU or that I am a NICU mama they all ask how early he was. This, again, was one of those assumptions I had prior to our experience. The NICU mama badge is not a badge I ever wanted to accept or wear proudly as that just seemed so inappropriate. However, I have accepted it and because Logan came home a healthy baby boy 5 days later I do wear it proudly. I hope to never have to be in there again, but I know that is beyond my control. There is NOTHING anyone could have done to prevent Logan from popping a hole in his lung. He just cried so hard with his first breath it was as if you took a water balloon and blew it up until it popped.

Logan is the reason why I am walking in the March for Babies walk on April 30th. Babies born prematurely, babies born with infections, etc...they are why I am going to walk. I know that all across the country that this walk is taking place over the next two weekends. If you have one near you and you have an hour and a half to be inspired, moved and get some exercise then I urge you to also walk. Thank you to Jasmine for already making a donation! If you feel led to, please help me out with my walk! THANK YOU! God bless your babies.

i heart faces-wind

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Wind is all we have been having around here!! I personally cannot stand the wind, especially right now because it makes it so much colder. Come on summer!

I snapped this photo at an apple farm in upstate Michigan, somewhere near Rogers City if you're familiar. We had a blast! As you can see Logan loved swinging. I love everything about this photo. I love that it is off-center, that it's a total action shot, that it's actually in focus (!!!), the look on Logan's face, the shadows on his face, and the wind in his hair. I had so much fun editing this picture. Like what you see? Go check out all the other awesome "windy" photos this week below!

Help me reach my goal!Sponsor Me at March for Babies!

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Swim Fishy Swim!

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For the last 4 weeks Logan and I have been going to swim lessons! This kid is a fish! He loves the water and gets so excited to see all his new friends.

The point of this beginner swim lesson class is not to get Logan to do all kinds of tricks but to get him used to the water, having other kids around splashing at him and generally teaching him that the pool is a fun place! Later, he will learn the fundamentals of swimming and safety lessons. 

Happy guy!

Swimming to get his toy!

Jumping up, his most favorite thing!

Four weeks is plenty long for toddler swim lessons. We are to the point now where Logan almost gets bored 20 minutes into the class and I have to go a lot to keep him entertained. Today we were in the toddler pool (directly behind the one we're in in the above pic). It was a little cooler than the therapy pool and we actually took them under water. Logan was a champ! I can't say he liked it, but he didn't cry which is a start!

If you've ever tried to take your baby to swim lessons alone you know there are some serious semantics that go into it. B was with me one day because he had a stomach bug the day before and was not allowed to return to work yet. So we had a bit of a family day. With him around, he can help me get Logan dressed while I dress myself. Alone, however, it is quite the juggling act, especially with a toddler! Logan is the 2nd oldest kiddo in this class and he does not lay there nicely while I try to get dressed. Nope. He tries to pull the other kids hair next to him or climb off the table!

I'm a pretty modest person. While I don't mind being in a bikini, etc, I am very modest about those private parts of my body. When I was nursing Logan I was very anxious nursing him in public and never got very comfortable doing it. Regardless, while in a ladies locker room with a squirley little boy one wonders how to properly dress ones self while still being discrete. I have not figured out the best way, even after 8 classes. However, I do know that the stroller comes in very handy. Once I've dressed him I can strap him in and then get dressed. I wrap the towel around my midsection and try to shimmy my way out of my bottoms without flashing anyone. Once the undies are on I can manage just fine. I just get easily uncomfortable, wondering if other woman are watching me, thinking I must look crazy. Why not just bare all! We've all had babies! What's the big deal! Well I would still like to maintain some kind of dignity. lol

Today, once I was all dressed and walking out the door I actually noticed another mom doing the exact same thing I was. FINALLY! Someone who is just as clueless as me! Haha...but really. It felt good to know I was not alone in my modesty.