Remember the Alamo?

This past Memorial Weekend we went to San Antonio to visit some friends that were visiting Texas from West Virginia! It was really nice to see Rick and Wanda. If we had just sat in a bus station it would have been a good time, they're just that awesome.

But we didn't just sit in a bus station. We got there mid-afternoon on Sunday, got checked into our hotel, hung out, fed Andrew, blah blah blah. Rick and Wanda were still doing their thing, so we ventured to the Alamo.

Now, I grew up in Virginia and so we weren't taught a lot of Texas history. Maybe there was a section on the Alamo, but I didn't remember it. But it's a pretty famous landmark and chances are (oh please, oh please) we'll never be this close again... so why not, right?

The Alamo sits in downtown San Antonio, so there are skyscraper hotels (3 Marriotts in a span of 2 blocks) and it's really commercially built up around it. The Riverwalk is a short distance away, and it's crazier than Tyson's Corner Mall at Christmas. The Alamo is a little more than a park in the middle of a booming city. Which is kind of sad, since I was picturing it in the tumbleweed swept desert.

"The prarie sky is deep and wide.... Deep in the heart of Texas." (That's the only line I know from that whole song.)

Anyway, the Alamo was nice. There were lots of trees and shade, and the outside was well manicured. We didn't actually go inside since it felt about 130* and the line to get in was long, and it's just not the same with a bulky stroller. The trip was within walking distance from the hotel, but Seeing the Alamo is not on my "bucket list."

I'm including a couple more pictures from Andrew's First Hotel stay. He was an excellent baby! Although we noticed he's a bit of a nosey little thing. We were sitting at dinner, and it was getting late (past his bedtime) and leaned over to look at the people entering the building. His eyelids were so droopy, and he was probably exhausted, but there was just too much to look at!

He went to sleep at 10:30pm and didn't wake up until 6:30 am! Which is close to 8 hours straight! He normally goes to bed at 9pm and will wake up again at 2, 3, or 4 am to eat. But this time in San Antonio he slept through the night!

I just have to add: GO SPURS!

Off the Cutting Room Floor

I take about 45 pictures of Andrew in one sitting, in hopes that I get 2 good shots. Normally the ragged 43 are discarded and never make it to a download stage.

This is just one example of the majority of pictures I take:

Enjoy!

2 Month Baby Wellness Visit

Vitals and Statistics:

• He weighs: 13 lbs 8 ozs, which puts him into the 50% -which is where he was at his 2 week visit (the % is the same, not the weight!).
  
• He's 24" long, which puts him into the 90%. Without looking, I think he was at the 70% for height at 2 weeks... so he's gotten taller. Which is good, considering my not-so-tall (I'm not saying short) genes.
  
• His head is still in the 25%, and I don't remember what the measurement was... but that's the same % as it was at his 2 week visit as well.

That's right- he's the SAME height and weight as his 4 month old cousin! Or at least the last I heard.

As far as holding his head, being alert, responding to sounds/voices and holding himself up on his elbows- the Dr was really pleased and she said he was doing really well and was developing quickly. Andrew was stomach-down and made some motions to crawl. I told her that wasn't normal and that was the first time I saw it!! Show off...

He got 2 shots: Pediarix (diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis B, and polio*)and Prevnar (pneumococcal bacteria that can cause serious diseases such as meningitis*) and an oral vaccine Rotateq (rotavirus- an extremely common and highly contagious stomach virus that can cause fever, vomiting and diarrhea*).

He was supposed to get a third shot, but there's a nationwide shortage of it. Apparently there were some contamination issues with some batches. YIKES... we'll wait then.

He cried- okay, more like screamed... but it only lasted 15-30 seconds for both shots. The first one was bad... then the second wasn't really much better... then he waited for a third, and looked around like- Okay, let's get the hell out of here!

* The wording in paranthesis is directly taken from the respective company's website.

Parenting Decisions

Tomorrow is Andrew's 2-month baby wellness visit.
He'll get 3 shots.
I'm already hurting from the thought of seeing him cry.

I want to do the best for my baby boy, which in my opinion, still involves him being vaccinated. I've read several articles and Autism Speaks' statement on the issue. I'm not a medical professional. Some might call me naive, but I believe that the CDC and other Health Organizations have my child's health and well-being as one of their top priorities. For every study there's been a counter-study. I will be the first to admit that I don't know anything beyond my own personal thoughts about the current controversy with immunizations.

Here are those personal thoughts:
-The known benefits outweigh the unknown risks.
-I wouldn't be able to live with myself if Andrew contracted a fatal disease that I could have protected him against.

He's gonna cry tomorrow and I can't do anything but hold him and comfort him, and unsuccessfully try to explain that what's happening is for the best. And I won't be able to give him a pacifier because I read today that the shield contains BPA. More on that later...

Ugh.