Monday, November 5, 2007

And the anxiety begins. . .

The last several weeks have ushered in many changes for us. Probably the most exciting for me is Hunter's new tooth. . .
I know the spit makes it hard to see, but it's down there on the bottom right. I've been obsessively checking his mouth for teeth like every other day. Not that I really wanted him to have one. I was actually kind of nervous about feeding him with teeth, but so far all of the discomfort and pain that I've agonized over in relation to pregnancy and delivery and breastfeeding have turned out to be way worse in my head than when I actually live it. And of course the same was true tonight when Hunter decided to bite me. No biggie. I'm tough now. Having a baby seriously makes you feel like the strongest person ever.

(For your entertainment, here's an illustration: I have always been severely afraid of needles. For real. Every year when I get a flu shot at work, I make one of the child life specialists sit with me and do guided imagery or whatever they call it. Not this year though. I walked up to Toby and didn't even make him calm me down or page a child life specialist or hold my hand or anything. Somehow all of the pokes and prods (and epidural needles!) neccessary to push out an 8 pound baby, make a tiny little flu shot seem insignificant. This perspective would've been nice years ago. Y'all I have to confess my mom used to have to hold me down for my booster shots. We're not just talking elementary school either. Picture late high school.)


Anyway, so the tooth. Super cute. I stare at it all the time.


A not so exciting change we've been experiencing is the dreaded separation anxiety. I have to admit, this might be causing me more anxiety than Hunter. Or maybe it's more separation stress for me . . . or separation irritation . . . or separation frustration. Hunter needs me with him ALL THE TIME. If I walk into the kitchen - where he can still see me - we get crying. If I sit on the couch while he plays on the ground, we get crying. James has even been holding him while I walked out of the room, and we get crying. Although I do get frustrated at times, I have to confess that deep down I really love that he loves me so much! And how could you stay frustrated at this sweet face anyway?

4 comments:

Trina said...

Hahahahaha! I remember that day like it was yesterday! You were 16 and it wasn't just me, remember?

I hope Hunter grows out of the separation anxiety.

Mom

Katie said...

Awww, that's so sweet that Hunter loves his mommy so much! He looks so sweet in those pics, I can't wait to see his tooth in person!

The Ross Family said...

Congrats on your new tooth, Hunter!!
Carole, I know how hard it is to leave when they only want their mommy. Cherish those moments, they don't last long. Preston had a really hard time for about a month, but even now he is very shy around people he doesn't know very well.

Molly said...

He is precious! And seriously Carole, High School?