I’m feeling pretty pleased right about now, for reasons I suspect are obvious. I haven’t fallen under the spell of Obama the way many have. As a matter of fact, I have real trepidation about how this is going to go. But the appearance of Palin pretty much wiped the floor with any balance I was feeling.
But I’m not here to talk about politics.
First, update on the lead-y baby. Part of the story I didn’t even get into was the terrible experience we had with his new (and now former) pediatrician’s office. I was told, basically, that while I may be used to a more participatory role since I come from commie, liberal Manhattan, that here in Tennessee the doctor is pretty much going to tell me what to do and I’m going to like it. After combing the mothering.com boards I was able to find a good recommendation and we visited that doctor to follow up. It was phenomenal. One woman in the waiting room told me that when she was struggling to breastfeed her newborn he sat down with her for 45 minutes to talk about it and encourage her. Then he called her every day for the next few days to check in. Another couple, whose daughter has multiple serious medical issues, told me they drive two hours each way to see him. When the nurse left us in the exam room Damon and I each got almost teary with relief. The downside, which I will joyfully embrace, is that (as promised when I made the appointment) the doctor feels free to take all the time he wants with each patient and so we will often wait long past our appointed time. Fine. No problem. Anyway, they did a venous blood draw (rather than the finger stick that produced our first result) and we should have that back by Friday. We got nervous when the nurse assigned us positions to hold Alden down for the draw, and offered to have another nurse come in to help restrain him. But we declined (it’s got to be less scary coming from us) and it actually wasn’t too bad. Alden fussed and protested, but the nurse was gentle and skilled and so he never even got up to a full cry. As soon as she took the needle out he perked right back up. At least now I feel like we’ve got a good doctor on our side, and we’ll deal with whatever number comes back.
On to more fun things:
If I am particularly exhausted this month, it will be because I got a promotion at work. I’m the new vice president and site director of HGTV.com. Yay! My mom is so jealous. I didn’t see this coming, so now I’m scrambling furiously to catch up. But I’ll get there.
And Halloween: Alden feasted on the flesh of his enemies and a good time was had by all (except the enemies).
jaysaint 
Posted by raving_liberal on November 5, 2008 at 3:25 am
I’m glad you didn’t let that attitude from pediatricians fly and that you found such a good one!
Posted by raving_liberal on November 5, 2008 at 3:25 am
I’m glad you didn’t let that attitude from pediatricians fly and that you found such a good one!
Posted by jaysaint on November 5, 2008 at 3:28 am
Thank you. I’ve always been pretty comfortable asserting myself, but it’s hard not to give in to vulnerability where Alden is concerned. I’m distressed at how comfortable our former practice was taking advantage of that.
Posted by jaysaint on November 5, 2008 at 3:28 am
Thank you. I’ve always been pretty comfortable asserting myself, but it’s hard not to give in to vulnerability where Alden is concerned. I’m distressed at how comfortable our former practice was taking advantage of that.
Posted by geobabe1 on November 5, 2008 at 3:40 am
So glad you found a better doctor.
Posted by geobabe1 on November 5, 2008 at 3:40 am
So glad you found a better doctor.
Posted by jaysaint on November 5, 2008 at 5:15 am
My relief is enormous. Thank you.
Posted by cinnabari on November 5, 2008 at 4:17 am
Congrats on the promotion and the new pediatrician!
Posted by cinnabari on November 5, 2008 at 4:17 am
Congrats on the promotion and the new pediatrician!
Posted by jaysaint on November 5, 2008 at 5:15 am
Thank you thank you!
Posted by jaysaint on November 5, 2008 at 5:15 am
My relief is enormous. Thank you.
Posted by jaysaint on November 5, 2008 at 5:15 am
Thank you thank you!
Posted by jessity on November 5, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Yay, congrats!
Posted by jessity on November 5, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Yay, congrats!
Posted by froofie on November 6, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I’m glad you found a wonderful doctor. And congratulations on the promotion!
And Alden looks like he’s saying ‘And another thing, good sir…I WILL eat you and I WILL enjoy it in my belly. Good Halloween to YOU, I say!’
Posted by froofie on November 6, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I’m glad you found a wonderful doctor. And congratulations on the promotion!
And Alden looks like he’s saying ‘And another thing, good sir…I WILL eat you and I WILL enjoy it in my belly. Good Halloween to YOU, I say!’
Posted by jaysaint on November 16, 2008 at 3:25 am
I know I’m more than a week late on some comments, as I was hiding in the woods. But I can’t let this one go with out saying, “HA!”
Posted by jaysaint on November 16, 2008 at 3:25 am
I know I’m more than a week late on some comments, as I was hiding in the woods. But I can’t let this one go with out saying, “HA!”