Once again, time seems to be flying by.....
Things have been good since I last wrote. Like I said, a huge weight has been lifted since receiving the news that I was approved for STD until July 1st. I got the paperwork I need to fill out for LTD, but I doubt I'll qualify for it since the only reason I can't work is because I can't drive. There is a bunch of questions for my doctor and frankly, I'm sick of asking him to fill stuff out. I know his office probably does it constantly, but I just don't know how I could get it to him, back to me, and then to the LTD people in a timely manner. I might just skip it.
I didn't mention my visit with my mom that week I was fired. She came down to take Owen and me to a couple doctor's appt and to all around be our chauffeur. The week went by really fast, being able to go somewhere everyday. I can honestly say she did a great job of driving my SUV even though she's used to a sedan. Owen loved his grandma time too. At his 4 month appt, he was 14lbs and around 24 1/4 in (I can't remember for sure). Still a peanut in weight (20%ile), but better in length (57%ile). His doc is pleased and so am I. We were allowed to start solids, so we did. He got the hang of it and seemed to enjoy it, but his tummy didn't. He's just not ready, so we'll wait a little longer.
We went up to Suches the weekend of Mother's Day to celebrate Rob's birthday (on the 9th) and Mother's Day. Brad and Jessie also went up. It was a good time. Owen gave me his first belly laugh on the way up there. He's not a big fan of car rides anymore, so I've taken to sitting in the back seat if it's especially bad (and it's over 2 hours up there, which is long time to listen to crying). He was a little apprehensive while we were there, but I think it was because everything was distracting/new/overstimulating. Three dogs, 4 extra people, new surroundings, etc. He pretty much only wanted to be with me or Rob. 'Owen' got me a card and Brad/Jessie got me a beautiful rose plant for Mother's Day. I'm not too big on those types of holidays, so that was perfect.
Next came a visit from my high school (well, junior high) friend Gretchen. We had a great few days together, also enjoying an opportunity to get out during the weekdays. Gretchen is a fabulous cook and we ate well. She made salted carmel ice cream, a beet/rhubarb/orange salad, a rhubarb risotto and a cheesy cauliflower penne. All delicious. In turn, I made dal, ginger cauliflower soup and garam masala lime chicken. It was a great week of eating! Owen was in love with her from minute one. She is a neonatalogy fellow, so he must have sensed her ease with babies. I've never seen him take to someone so quickly.
This weekend we were lucky enough to visit our friends Tracy and Joe at the hospital to meet their new little bundle of joy, Melina Kaylin. She was a 9 pounder with chubby cheeks and a headful of hair. Precious. We've already got Owen and Melina married off, so hopefully they'll like each other when they grow up. :)
That's the latest. I'm going to try to post a couple pictures of Owen that Gretchen took while she was here. Her hobby is photography and we took her up on her offer to take some pics!
