Where the Wild Things Are

In case you were wondering, the wild ones live in a non-descript building on the campus of Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital in Baltimore.

To explain, allow me to recap yesterday's adventure to Mt. Washington for Ryan's appointment with a pediatric pulmonologist. Given his respiratory problems, frequent bouts of wheezing, and family history of asthma and allergies, we decided to consult a specialist to be better informed about childhood asthma and more proactive about treating it.

We were initially impressed with how efficient and kid-friendly the experience was. As we entered the building, we were greeted by the cheerful, colorful decor and friendly staff. The waiting area was full of interactive toys and activities to entertain and engage children while their parents filled out the required paperwork. Since we are accustomed to frustratingly long wait times at doctors' offices, we were pleasantly surprised when we were shown to an exam room within 10 minutes of arriving. Much to our disappointment though, the exam room was small and bland and offered no toys or books to occupy fidgety little boys - this would not have been an issue had we not had to spend nearly an hour and a half in there trying to entertain Ryan while we waited for the attending physician to see us!

Before too long, the fellow physician came in to the room, introduced herself to us and to Ryan, gathered information about Ryan's medical history (particularly his previous episodes of respiratory problems), and conducted an initial examination of Ryan. Naturally, Ryan decided that he had to go to the bathroom at that exact moment. Now, mind you, we had been waiting for this appointment for almost 6 months. And, we have been trying, unsuccessfully, to persuade Ryan to use the potty for months now! But, he decides in the middle of a doctor's appointment with a sought-out specialist that he's ready to sit on the potty for the first time?!?! So, not wanting to discourage his sudden interest, Daddy quickly escorted Ryan to the restroom, where he did sit on the potty and try to go to the bathroom.

The fellow then explained that she needed to consult the attending physician regarding Ryan's symptoms and health history and the two of them would return to the room to discuss the next steps in Ryan's treatment. That's when the endless waiting began...as the minutes ticked slowly by, Mike and I desperately tried to entertain Ryan. Understandably, as time wore on, Ryan got increasingly restless and irritable.

Eventually, we pulled the guest chair up to the lone window in the room, opened the blinds, and discovered that we were overlooking another building. When Ryan asked what that building was for, Mike informed him that it was where wild children who don't behave during their doctor's visits are sent. Ryan's eyes widened in alarm and awe and Mike and I began to spin an elaborate tale. We invented the following rules for the building where the wild ones live:

• No cookies, PopTarts, or other sugary snacks; children living there are only fed carrots for every meal;
• No apple juice or chocolate milk to drink, children are only offered toilet water to drink
• There is no TV, especially Dora and Diego, instead children are forced to brush their teeth 3 times a day (the horror!) and cut their own fingernails and toenails everyday (you should have seen the look on Ryan's face when he learned this news!!); and
• Although parents would be allowed weekly visits, the children are not released until they receive their GED or their 21st birthday, whichever comes first.

The fear of being sent to that building kept Ryan in line for a little while, but our giggles and laughter at the rules we created eventually betrayed us and Ryan insisted, "you teasing me, that's silly." So, we next turned to the one magazine we could find to try to entertain Ryan - National Geographic. Now, one might think that Ryan would find National Geographic fascinating given his love of animals. While he did enjoy the majority of the photos he saw in the magazine, we weren't sure how to respond when he inquired about the photo of villagers carrying a slain gorilla out of the forest on a bamboo litter or the picture of a camel being hoisted by a crane, likely being transported to its final resting spot. Just when we had reached our wit's end, the attending physician came into the room and put us out of our misery!

She then examined Ryan, reviewed his charts, and decided to put him on Pulmacort indefinitely to reduce the frequency and severity of respiratory flareups such as the wheezing he normally develops following a cold. The hope is that by treating him now, it should prevent or mitigate his respiratory problems when he gets older. Based on his history, the physician assumes that his breathing problems are likely triggered by a virus (such as the common cold) or seasonal allergies. However, she explained that it is premature to subject Ryan to allergy testing now since he is still developing his allergies and will continue to do so through the age of 5. We will followup with her in 3 months to see what effect the Pulmacort has had and determine what the next course of action in his treatment plan should be. Hopefully next time we'll remember to bring toys or books for Ryan so we won't have to resort to threats of abandonment and/or elaborate storytelling!

Family Time

As we did when Ryan was born, we respectfully asked family and friends to allow us a few weeks to bond with our son, adjust to life with a newborn again, and establish a routine for our new family of 4 (5 if you count Guinness). We also wanted to give Ryan an opportunity to spend time and forge a relationship with his new brother, whom he had not met or held prior to his discharge from the NICU. While we recognize that family, particularly the grandparents, were eager (crazed is probably more accurate :-)) to meet Gavin since they were not permitted to hold him while he was in the NICU, we appreciate that everyone honored our request for time and space during those first few weeks. It was an important and special time for us. Plus, it allowed us time to adapt to Gavin's sleep schedule (or lack thereof) and me time to fully recuperate before entertaining guests.


Here are a few photos taken during recent visits with family. We were especially grateful that, despite their enthusiasm about meeting Gavin for the first time, everyone carved out special time for Ryan during their visit. Although Ryan is shamelessly spoiled and has not shown any signs of jealousy so far, I'm sure the special attention, gifts, compliments and words of encouragement went a long way to ward off any potential jealousy or resentment problems.


Nana and PopPop's Visit
Although they would never admit it, I think Nana and PopPop were exhausted after their visit with Ryan and Gavin. Despite her seemingly endless reserves of energy, even Nana showed signs of slowing down by the end of her stay. Ryan kept them busy reading books, blowing bubbles, playing in the pool, drawing chalk cities on the driveway, and making Play Doh creations. Nana and PopPop also graciously volunteered to get up with the two boys in the morning and let Mommy and Daddy catch up on some much needed sleep!


They also agreed to babysit Ryan and Gavin while we attended a friend's wedding - a long overdue date night! We were grateful for the opportunity to share some alone time as a couple, especially since we've only had a few child-free evenings since Ryan was born. The fact that we were comfortable leaving Gavin before he was even one month old shows how much more relaxed we are with the second child. Ryan was well over a year old before we were ready to go out without him. And, once we were ready to venture out alone, we subjected all potential babysitters to a rigorous vetting process similar to that required to obtain a high level security clearance!

Granddaddy and Grami Shar's Visit
Grandaddy and Grami Shar came up to visit a few days later. They were eager to hold Gavin since they hadn't been able to in the hospital. Grami Shar was especially excited since she had never even seen Gavin before (she was understandably uncomfortable going into the NICU and seeing all of the sick babies). Soon after meeting Gavin for the first time, Granddaddy sniffed his feet to check for "stinky feet," a Mann family game that Ryan still enjoys. In the afternoon, Granddaddy relaxed by the poolside with Daddy (by poolside, I really mean the inflatable kiddie pool) while Grami Shar played catch in the backyard and colored a Dora and Diego coloring book with Ryan. Granddaddy and Grami Shar also treated us to cold cut subs for dinner, which was especially nice for me since I was unable to eat sandwiches during pregnancy (deli meat may contain a harmful bacteria called listeria and is therefore not recommended during pregnancy). After dinner, we drove across the street to Baugher's playground for snowcones and to let Ryan burn off some energy. The next morning, Daddy cooked breakfast for everyone while Grandaddy and Ryan wrestled and Grami Shar supervised to make sure no one got hurt. Grandaddy was a good sport about it since he took quite a beating from Ryan, who is known for sneak attacks and below-the-belt shots!

MomMom's Visit
MomMom, who is also a mom to two boys, was excited to spend time with her two grandsons. She affectionately calls them her "sweet boys" and, like a typical grandmother, thinks they do no wrong! Given the years she spent working for the March of Dimes and her familiarity with the risks associated with premature birth, she was particularly anxious to see Gavin's progress for herself. She was relieved to discover that despite his early respiratory problems, Gavin is now doing exceptionally well and definitely has a healthy set of lungs (especially when he's hungry or has gas). And, like all the grandparents, she gushed about how sweet and cute both of the boys are.

During her visit, MomMom put together puzzles with Ryan, accompanied him to the local playground to feed the ducks and watch him play on the playground equipment, and cheered him on as he rode his tricycle up and down the sidewalk in front of our house. She also made us a delicious home-cooked dinner of pot roast, potatoes, and carrots, which was a welcome change from the leftover lasagna we had been eating all week!

Uncle Scott and Aunt Kelsea's Visit
Uncle Scott and Aunt Kelsea came to visit a few days after Mommy's birthday. Uncle Scott visited Mommy in the pre-op room just prior to her C-section, but hadn't seen her since Gavin's delivery. Since he and Mommy are very close, he was eager to see her in person to confirm that she was recovering well physically and emotionally. And, in typical little brother fashion, he came armed with the noisiest toy for Ryan that he could find (a toy guitar)! He and Aunt Kelsea also brought delicious cupcakes and candy for Mommy's birthday and announced that they had signed her up for a 5K run scheduled for the end of September in honor of her birthday (talk about sending mixed signals - junk food and a 5k?!). That should be the motivation I need to lose these last 10 lbs of baby weight, although I am a bit nervous about my ability to complete the race given my current energy and fitness level. To add insult to injury, the race is in College Park and Mike's old fire department is responsible for providing emergency care for participants who fall out during the run! He'd never hear the end of it if his firefighter colleagues have to transport his wife to the hospital!

Ryan met his match in Uncle Scott in terms of energy and maturity! The two of them wore each other out wrestling, making Play Doh food, blowing bubbles, making chalk drawings, and throwing snappers (those white paper things that pop when you throw them against the ground) on the driveway! Aunt Kelsea was more than willing to cuddle Gavin while Uncle Scott and Ryan played! When Uncle Scott finally collapsed exhausted on the couch to hold Gavin, he felt something warm spreading across his stomach - Gavin had peed all over him! He was a good sport about it, especially since he was having dinner with Kelsea's family after leaving our house. I'm sure the pee stains on his shirt made a good impression on them, but then again, he and Kelsea have dated for several years now, so nothing about Scott should surprise them at this point!

Uncle Matty's Visit
Poor Uncle Matty came to meet Gavin and play with Ryan, but Daddy ended up putting him to work! Daddy began "nesting" several months before Gavin was born. During his house cleaning craze, he had accumulated piles of stuff that he wanted to donate or take to the dump. The only problem was that a lot of it wouldn't fit in our SUV; we needed Uncle Matty's truck to transport the larger items. I think Daddy was equally as excited as Ryan and Gavin for Matty's visit so that he could get rid of some of the clutter!

When he wasn't hauling junk from our house, Uncle Matty and Ryan were wrestling, chasing each other around the house, playing with Play Doh, and sharing icepops, snowcones, or cookies. He even let Ryan help drive his new truck up and down the driveway! Uncle Matty enjoyed holding Gavin, but was quick to hand him back over to Mommy or Daddy whenever a diaper change was needed! Although newborn baby poop doesn't smell, apparently the sight of it triggers Uncle Matty's gag reflex; he had to leave the room whenever a diaper change was taking place! Perhaps we should reconsider storing the Diaper Genie (i.e., dirty diaper receptacle) in the guest bathroom - at least when Matty is visiting!

Kids Say The Darndest Things!

Ryan continues to amaze us with his extensive vocabulary and reasoning and processing abilities. We're astounded by how much progress he's made in the past 6 months, since he didn't really start talking until Christmastime. It's hard to believe there was a time when we were concerned that he wasn't verbal enough; now he rarely stops talking (not that we're complaining!). Below are three recent conversations we've had with Ryan that made us chuckle.

Baby Belly
I think one of the reasons God gives us children is to keep us humble. I've discovered that a 2-year-old is similar to a good girlfriend - you know, not the ones who tell you what you want to hear, but the ones who tell you truthfully if an outfit makes your butt look too big! To illustrate, here is a recap of a recent conversation I had with Ryan:

A few days ago Ryan asked me, "Baby in you belly, Mommy?" I replied, "No, Mommy does not have a baby in her belly anymore," and reminded him that his new baby brother, Gavin, was the baby that used to be in Mommy's belly. His response was, "Oh, okay, Mommy. One more baby in you belly?" I reassured him there was not another baby in my belly and he innocently asked, "Why you have big belly? Eat too much, Mommy?"

Thankfully, I not only have a sense of humor, but have also gotten used to inquires from strangers about my "cute little baby bump!"

Blame the Dog
We figured we'd take advantage of Mike's 6 weeks of paternity leave by using that time to work on potty training Ryan. Our hope is that a "divide and conquer" approach to potty training (i.e., one parent rushes Ryan to the potty while the other watches Gavin) will increase our chances of success. So, whenever we notice a stinky odor or he audibly "toots," we ask him if it's him who smells and if he needs to go poo-poo on the potty. Without fail, he responds, "No, that's Guinness" (usually Guinness is nowhere in sight!). When we inform him that Guinness isn't even in the room, he either insists it was Guinness or shifts the blame to Gavin or Daddy! I have no idea where he's learned to pass the blame!

Ice Cream Pig
Ryan has inherited Daddy's fondness for (more accurately, addiction to) ice cream. Many evenings after dinner we go to Hoffman's for homemade ice cream. Ryan usually insists on sampling each of our ice cream flavors (and by sampling, I really mean he eats at least half of our ice cream!). If we protest, he likes to remind us, "It's good manners to share." There's not much of a comeback to that - it's humbling to be outwitted by a 2-year-old! Last week, Mike ordered a waffle cone with chocolate and peanut butter ice cream (one of Hoffman's most popular flavors). We've tried to limit Ryan's exposure to peanuts since we weren't sure if he was allergic to them. However, he insisted (i.e., begged almost to the point of a temper tantrum) that he be allowed "just one try" of Mike's ice cream. Mike finally gave in since we were fairly confident that he wasn't allergic to peanuts since he's eaten plenty of foods such as fast food french fries that are cooked in peanut oil. Naturally, Ryan loved the chocolate and peanut butter ice cream and not only ate it all, but finished Mike's waffle cone as well! (Luckily for me, my chocolate and marshmallow ice cream was not nearly as well received!) Ryan then grunted / snorted like a pig and exclaimed, "Me ice cream pig, Daddy!"

Summer Fun

We’ve been enjoying the unseasonably mild temperatures by picnicking on the deck, playing outside, tackling backyard landscaping projects, going to the local Fourth of July festivities, and splashing in our new inflatable kiddie pool. Here are some recent photos from our Fourth of July and backyard fun.

Fourth of July

Ryan was excited to learn that he and Gavin were going to stay up late to watch the fireworks for the Fourth of July. In this photo, he was explaining to Gavin that fireworks make a loud "boom" and look like bright, colorful flashes of light in the sky.



Ryan begged us for a funnel cake before the fireworks started. However, the line was ridiculously long and by the time Daddy and Ryan reached the funnel cake stand, they were told they had run out of funnel cakes. Since we already had an over-tired 2-year-old on our hands, Daddy had to be creative in finding an alternative dessert option that Ryan would find acceptable. We have popcicles all the time at home, so we assumed Ryan would not consider them a special, exciting treat. So, Daddy convinced Ryan that these were "sundaes," which luckily produced squeals of delight from Ryan. Ryan thoroughly enjoyed his "sundae" and now exclaims "cheeseburger sundae" whenever posing for photos!

Mommy (who is obviously sleep deprived!), Gavin, and Ryan anxiously await the start of the fireworks. We arrived at the Westminster Farm Museum around 6:00 p.m. and the fireworks weren't scheduled to begin until 9:30 p.m. While we waited, we ate a picnic dinner and Ryan bounced on the inflatable slide and played on a wooden train. Gavin, who attracted a lot of attention, snoozed in his infant carrier.

I wish we had remembered to take the camcorder with us to record Ryan's reaction to the fireworks. I know the people around us were equally entertained by Ryan's squeals of delight and running commentary on the fireworks as they were by the fireworks themselves. After each firework was launched, Ryan would enthusiastically clap and loudly exclaim, "yook (a.k.a. "look") Mommy, yook!" He'd also scream, "Oooh, me like that one, Daddy!" After the first 15 minutes, he settled into Daddy's lap and was wide-eyed and mesmorized by the firework display. He was particularly impressed by the grand finale, but admitted that he didn't like the ones that made the "loud boom." By the time we got him into the car (which was well after 10 p.m.), he had heavy eyelids and quickly fell asleep, but not before saying, "Too-too (a.k.a. "thank you"), Mommy and Daddy, me like fireworks. You take me see more fireworks next year?"

While Ryan reacted quite enthusiastically to the fireworks, Gavin slept through the entire show! We can't get the boy to sleep through the night, but he can sleep soundly through a loud, bright firework display! In fact, he slept through the entire afternoon/evening and woke up as soon as we arrived home and unloaded him from the car!

Pool Time

Ryan helped Daddy inflate his new kiddie pool and fill it with water in the morning so that the water would be warm by the afternoon when Ryan was ready to play in it. We were expecting the landscapers to mow the lawn, so we thought it best to set the pool up on the deck rather than risk it being damaged by the landscapers or have Ryan litter the pool water with cut grass by his frequent climbing in and out of the pool. Ryan particularly enjoyed aiming the pink dolphin that spurted water at an unsuspecting Mommy or Daddy. When we squealed with surprise at being sprayed with cold water, he would giggle devilishly.

Ryan also enjoyed watering the plants (really the inflatable palm trees) using his watering can. He also liked watering Mommy's flower pots using his water gun (not exactly good for the delicate flowers) and measuring cups (time consuming, but it's not like I'm using them for cooking these days!)


Ryan worked up an appetite playing in the pool so he took a snack break for a chocolate ice pop. We normally insist that he eat his chocolate ice pops in a popcicle holder to "catch the drips" as Ryan says, but since he was in his bathing suit and could be easily rinsed off in the pool, we figured we could live with the inevitable mess. Ryan apparently took that as a call to action to see just how messy he could get! He was quite proud of his chocolate covered mouth, stomach, and hands.


As the afternoon wore on, we noticed Ryan had goosebumps and would shiver and say, "brrr, Mommy, it's windy and chilly!" However, he insisted that he was not quite ready to throw in the towel (pun intended!). It took the promise of a cheeseburger and rides at a local fire department carnival to convince him to come inside for a warm shower and clean clothes. Here Ryan snuggles in his beach towel to dry off.

Gavin's First Days at Home

It's a good thing Gavin was able to rest during his stay in the NICU because his first few days at home have not exactly been peaceful or relaxing. Don't get me wrong, like most newborns, he spends most of his time sleeping, pooping, and eating (in that order!). But, since we have an energetic 2-year-old in the house who also demands our attention, we don't have the luxury of holding Gavin all day, watching him sleep, and marveling at each little coo and baby gurgle. In fact, at the tender age of two weeks old, Gavin has already visited the local playground to watch Ryan play and feed the ducks, gone to the pediatrician, gone on his first walk around the neighborhood, and enjoyed his first bath. Luckily, he's a laid-back baby and doesn't seem to mind - and often sleeps through - the chaos!

Gavin's first pediatrician's appointment was fairly uneventful, though he did have to suffer through the PKU heel prick test and Hep B shot. Like Ryan, he cried briefly and then quickly calmed down. We spent most of the visit informing the doctor about the events that led to Gavin being admitted to the NICU and what happened (medications given, procedures performed, etc.) during his stay. The doctor examined Gavin and reassured us that he's healthy and strong. In fact, he's not only regained his birth weight, but also put on a little weight. The little guy weighed in at 9 lbs, 1 oz, which is in the 90th percentile. He's 21 inches long (which is in the 75th percentile) and his head measured 14.5 cm (which is in the 50th percentile).

Below are some photos of Gavin's first few days at home.


Mommy and Daddy didn't get much sleep Gavin's first night at home, partly because he woke up hungry several times in the middle of the night, but mostly because we were excessively worried and wanted to monitor his breathing by watching the rise and fall of his chest. Gavin, on the other hand, was completely at ease and even slept with his hands behind his head.




Daddy snuggles with his boys.


Ryan prepares for Gavin's first bath by testing the temperature of the bathwater, wetting the washcloth, and sharing his favorite rubber duck.

Gavin eyes us warily and isn't sure what all the excitement is about.



Big brother, Ryan, helps Daddy wash baby Gavin. When Gavin got upset, Ryan tried to comfort him by singing, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star."

Although he wasn't a fan of the bath at first, Gavin quickly calmed down and enjoyed the post-bath snuggling from Mommy, Daddy, and Ryan.

All cleaned up, smelling good, and ready for bed!

During Gavin's first walk around the neighborhood, Ryan insisted on pushing the stroller himself without help from Mommy or Daddy. After some negotiating, he did agree to let us help him steer since he didn't have a clear view in front of him.

Gavin's version of "Arby's mouth." Like Ryan, Gavin is most comfortable sleeping on Daddy's chest. He snuggles on Daddy's shoulder like a little barnacle bump.

Ryan is such a proud big brother. He wakes up asking for Gavin, tells Gavin he loves him before bed, and gives him hugs and kisses frequently throughout the day. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of how well Ryan has adjusted to his new role.