The home stretch...

We are doing well in the Cohen house. Charlie and Alex are both getting a bit of cabin fever. The weather has been cold and windy this week which makes it less than appealing to spend much time outside. I ignored my normal rule of "no throwing anything let alone a ball in the house" on sunday and Charlie and Alex practiced playing catch with the football. Charlie's getting better at catching but usually only if it's thrown directly into his outstretched arms.

Then they added the tackle aspect of football into things. Charlie was heard several times saying, "touchdown, go Phillies!" Poor guy is as confused, bewildered and hopeful about the Philadelphia sports teams as we are!

Very proud of bringing daddy down. I was just grossed out because Alex had just completed an hour of running on the treadmill and was quite sweaty...little kids just don't care!
It was a nice weekend at home...I was very grateful to be home and not in the hospital...but Charlie really gave me a run for my money. He was a nightmare of sorts both days, all day. And it really was only for me! Alex was gone Saturday morning at an FFB (Foundation Fighting Blindness) meeting with my dad...I was supposed to be there but stayed home to take it easy...doctor's orders. He was also gone saturday night because for his birthday, I got him tickets to see Louis C.K. at the Merriam Theatre. I stayed home again to take it easy and he went with his brother, sister-in-law, and friend from highschool. He didn't really get to see much of Charlie's antics and when I reported his behavior, I think Alex really thought I was losing it...mentally. He reminded me that he's a 3 year old...yeah thanks. He also reminded me that he has a cold...again, thanks. But his behavior was above and beyond anything I had seen before. Just downright terrible, mean, and purposeful. Sunday was no better, even worse, but at least Alex was around to witness it...although it was always directed at me and any interaction with Alex was pleasant and sweet. I know Charlie was testing me, he was upset that I was gone all week, and was really showing me that he loved me, but it was horrible! After many pep-talks from my mom, and a few good nights sleep in my own bed, I felt better by monday. Charlie returned to school, and things were better. We also took him to see the wonderful Dr. Banner monday night and discovered that he has ANOTHER terrible ear infection (sunday night he woke up and told me his ears hurt really bad). So this week has been better. Thank goodness!
Here's Charlie and Alex napping on the couch Sunday afternoon. It was so nice and quiet in the house! Charlie doesn't ever nap anymore at home, and only occasionally at school (believe me, we've tried everything to get him to nap at home) but for the past 6+ months, naps just don't exist. This was a nice treat and I'm sure was related to him not feeling well and waking up several times at night with his ears.

I also went to have my non-stress-test (NST) on tuesday and afterwards saw my OB. The NST was fine, baby looks great. I talked my OB into letting me return to work later this week. My argument...if something happens, I will be one floor below the PETU where I need to go for intervention. Because Alex doesn't drive, if I am at home, I have to wait for a cab and wait for someone to come stay with Charlie. This way, I'm already at the hospital. Plus our census has dropped significantly in the unit and we are much less busy. She agreed but I will still go twice weekly for the NST's and if anything happens from 34 weeks on, they will deliver him, similar to what happened with Charlie.

The house is ready, I've been nesting a ton, reorganizing the baby clothes and pretty much everything else. I feel great and I have a ton of energy which is nice, but it makes "taking it easy" pretty difficult! I am going out later today to buy some new nipples for the bottles we had for Charlie (I figure 3 years in storage can't be great or nipples). I will breastfeed but with going back to work right away and my need for someone else to feed the baby too, I plan to pump also, and give him some formula when necessary.

So that's it, we'll keep you posted and I'll let you know how my first night back goes!