Mommy Thumb

In the past I've heard mothers say that they wish that their child came with a handbook. Admittedly, it would make parenting your individual child a lot easier, but where's the sense of adventure? Where's the feeling of accomplishment when you get it right for once? Although I think that I'll survive without the handbook (hopefully Kio will too), there are a few tidbits of wisdom that I wish someone had passed on, and today I want to focus on one of them: The 'correct' way to pick up your baby.

A no brainer you say?

I beg to differ.

Of course, most people that posses an iota of common sense know that you don't pick up your baby by one arm or by their head, but just in case...

From the time Kio was about three months old, I've been dealing with tendinitis in my left wrist and thumb. Many women get it when they are pregnant, but mine showed up after the fact.

In the beginning there was some tingling and an occasional spasm of pain, especially when I was picking Kio up out of his crib. I dismissed it as one of the side effects of having a rather pudgy baby.

After a couple of months the pain was constant and it became necessary to wear a wrist supporter.

As an aside, I would like someone to please tell me why supporters either come in, "Filthy After the First Wear White" or "Nobody Actually Has This Skin Tone Nude"? Maybe that's where my millions await me - designer wrist supporters.

Yes?

Anyway, I decided that it was time to consult Dr. Google and figure out what the heck was going on.

Dr. G: Trouble lifting even small objects, like a coffee cup?
Me: Check!

Dr. G: Restricted range of movement in the thumb?
Me: Double check!

Dr. G: Pain on the thumb side of the wrist while twisting or gripping?
Me: Any excuse not to wash dishes, check number three!

Dr. G: Hurts to make a fist?
Me; You bet!

Dr. G: Weak hand - afraid you'll drop things?
Me: Like my baby!? Hell yes!

And thus I was self-diagnosed with 'Mommy Thumb'.

Apparently, this form of tendinitis is common in new mothers because they repeatedly pick up their babies incorrectly.

This is where a manual might have come in handy.

After months of hooking my thumbs under Kio's armpits I was informed (again by Dr. Google) that this method of picking up an infant is wrong. If done repeatedly, it can lead to a repetitive strain injury.

No kidding!

Apparently, what I should have been doing is using flattened hands on either side of his ribcage and then picking him up.

I have since tried this and it is virtually impossible - it might have worked when Kio was a teeny newborn, but now that he's in all of his pudgy glory...no way! So much for your silly advice Dr. Google, perhaps it was time to go to a real doctor.

It took Real Person Doctor less than a minute to diagnose me with De Quervain's Syndrome (aka Mommy Thumb). He spent some time explaining exactly what was going on in my wrist, and in true Japanese style, it was done as cutely as possible.

He said that a shot of cortisone would more than likely fix me right up, but warned that it would be 'quite painful' as the injection site is next to a nerve.

'Quite' painful my ass!

I realize that after going through natural childbirth I should have an altered concept of pain. But in all honesty, I don't really remember the pain part of the whole ordeal. So, keeping childbirth out of the equation, that needle was probably the most painful thing that I have ever experienced!

At the time, Kio was fussing a bit so Shin was busy and unable to provide a hand to hold - more than likely for the best. I'm sure that there would've been a broken bone or two! I grabbed the closest thing I could find for support (the handle of Kio's stroller) and bore down...

If the mere thought of a needle makes you feel queasy, I recommend skipping over the next bit.

Once the needle was in, everything went in slow motion.

Some pressure...

A little more pressure...

A kind of 'pop' as the needle worked it's way around some cartilage...

And then total freakin' agony!

As I was gritting my teeth against the excruciating pain an odd thought popped into my head - in the movies you always see people biting down on a stick when they are experiencing something extremely painful; I would've given just about anything for a stick at that moment.

And then it was over.

Time to exhale.

For the next couple of hours my thumb felt like it had been to the dentist. After the numbness subsided the familiar pain returned but I figured it was from the needle and I'd be as right as rain in the morning.

Wrong!

After all that, my Mommy Thumb was left uncured.

This all took place in September and according to doctor's orders I've been resting said thumb as much as humanly possible.

But when you have a rather busy nine month old, and no dishwasher, rest does not come easily.

Plus, I couldn't find any little pillows.

After a couple of close calls where my thumb stopped working altogether, I went back to the doctor and demanded more drastic action be taken (as long as it doesn't involve another needle). So next month I'm having a little outpatient operation to snip the sheath that covers the swollen tendons.

Hopefully it will go as 'cutely' as this...

Nine months, nine onesies.

Last month when I was writing about what Kio had been up to, I mentioned that I was worried about not having any exciting stories to tell. Then the egg allergy incident happened and there was all sorts of excitement.

You truly should be careful what you wish for.

This month I am happy to report that our lives have been drama free and Kio has spent most of his time bathing us in cuteness and his lunch.

Last summer while we were in Canada, Kio spent a great deal of time poking his tongue out and blowing raspberries with his Grandpa Gary. At the time it was pretty high up there on the adorable scale, unfortunately the trick has taken a new turn.

Each morning I'm woken by raspberry fueled smiles and strangers on the train get their fair share as well. Raspberries are blown during playtime and nap time and meal time...

Green beans anyone?

During his rare breaks from raspberry madness, Kio spends a most of his time in motion.

Unconcerned about the presence of music, or the toy that he happens to be holding, when the urge to dance comes upon him, Kio gives it his all! There is arm waving, head shaking, feet kicking and toys flying - basically the boy is a dancing fool.

You'd think that all of that dancing would leave him exhausted and ready for nap time. Not our Kio.

Once the raspberries have been blown, and the dance has been danced, it's time for crawling practice.

Before you get all excited, I have to say that he still hasn't mastered his crawl and for the most part his efforts end in teary frustration. But I'm thinking that he's going to figure it out any day now, then Hirano household will assume a whole new state of chaos.

So far, this is what he's got:

Arms out in front.

Bum in the air.

Aaaannnddd...

Backward motion only.

That's usually when he starts to cry or gives up and rolls to his destination. Like I said, any day now.

Kio's nine month birthday coincided with our second wedding anniversary. Last year Shin and I began the practice of giving each other gifts from the traditional anniversary gift list - second anniversary is cotton. We are neither in the market for sheets or towels, and with Christmas and birthdays just around the corner I was rather hesitant to buy clothes. As such, I was kind of at a loss for a gift idea.

A couple of days before, I was looking for a button to sew on one of Shin's shirts (awww domestic bliss), and I came across the material swatches from the suit that he had made for our wedding. Digging a little further, I found the swatches from my wedding dress. A quick trip to the craft store and I had our anniversary give sorted - his and hers wedding outfit key chains. The perfect 'cotton' gift for people that have just bought a car!

Yes I know, neither outfit was actually made of cotton. Whatever. It's the gesture that counts here people.

On the 11th we went to Nara Park for a picnic. It was freezing cold so we ate most of the food in the car on the way home. Kio was well impressed with the deer (me not so much), and a kind woman gave us her extra ticket to the Nara National Museum's special exhibit, which was both warm and impressive.

All in all, it was a nice family oriented anniversary.

Although it was quite late when we got home, there was one more thing to do and that was to have Kio model his nine month onesie.

This month's onesie and letter were done by our good friend Autumn. Unfortunately, she was unable to attend my baby shower (a job interview certainly takes precedence) but she did send along a totally awesome robot onesie and a dragon labour bead.

I tried for ages to get a picture of Kio AND the back of the shirt, this was the best that I could come up with and thus it needs a little explanation. It's a lightening bolt and at the top it says, 'The Bean'.

Love it!

Meet Kay.

In October I turned 37. Not an overly exciting number but, as one person 'kindly' pointed out, it's only three years until I'm 40.

Thanks sis.

Just as a reminder, I'm only a year and eight months older than you are!

Inevitably that got me thinking about age, and I came to the conclusion that I am (hopefully) somewhere around the halfway point of my life. Initially I found that thought quite depressing. However, I started to think about all that I've done with my 37 years, and I realized that life has been pretty good to me.

As I sifted through the various milestones, there were a few holes, but of course there is still time to fill them. In fact, I've just filled one recently by purchasing...

My first car!

That's right folks. I've been a licensed driver for 20 years but I have yet to own a car.

UNTIL NOW!

Last week I became the proud owner of my first car, and her name is Kay.

She is about the size of a can of tuna. Her engine may only be rivaled by my hairdryer. And she's white. Which in my opinion, when it comes to vehicles, is a colour that only belongs on limousines and ambulances.

But she is all mine.

By the way, I shared the above hairdryer analogy with Shin earlier today, and he thinks that my hairdryer is probably stronger.

Up until recently, I've done fine without owning a car. I've borrowed or rented when needed, otherwise I've made due with public transportation. Although I absolutely abhor taking the bus, and tend to taxi and little more than I should, I have endless respect for Japan Rail and find taking the train more relaxing than driving.

And then I had a baby.

Now taking the train is kind of a hassle. With Kio in his stroller I need to take an elevator to the platform. The elevators are always out of the way, and there are some stations (namely the one closest to my hairdresser and the shopping centre that I frequent) that don't even have elevators! So I have to schlep Kio and his stroller up and down the stairs by myself - luckily someone always takes pity on me and lends a hand, but that still doesn't remove the danger that we could go tumbling down the stairs at any moment.

And don't even get me started on taking the bus!

Anyway, since Kio was born I've been managing, but I've also been complaining. I often leave the house with Kio in his stroller, and return with him in his baby carrier as the stroller is laden down with diapers or groceries or kitty litter. Sometimes all three. We've had to send our stroller in twice now to have the wheels fixed. I blame one of the repair trips on Korean Air and the other on kitty litter.

Shin tries to help as much as he can, but seriously the guy rides a motorcycle. Diapers tied down with bungee cords are the antithesis of cool.

I suppose teeny-tiny white cars aren't what you'd call cool, but they certainly make shopping easier, and keep you dry. Shin has officially been able to retire his rain suit.

Needless to say, Shin and I are happy that little Kay has joined the Hirano clan. But the jury may out on how Kio feels about it.

You see, Kio hates traveling by car.

With a passion.

For the most part, he cries from the time that he first lays eyes on his car seat, to the 'thank God we're here' moment when we reach our destination. We have figured out a few tricks that help him keep his cool. I often sit with him in the back. If it's night-time, we generally drive with the interior light on. Finally, when the weather permits it, we drive with the window open.

That's a lot of tap dancing just for a trip to Costco.

All of the above took place during the many times that we have borrowed Shin's parents' Prius. Would it be the same with Kay?

Apparently not!

Since Kay has joined the family, Kio has been out for a drive pretty much everyday, and to date has only had one screaming fit! Unfortunately, it was while I was driving on my own and not much could be done to comfort him.

He has even napped in the car. Definitely a first!

With the addition of Kay, we’ve sadly had to let go of another member of the clan.

Anyone want to buy a scooter?