Carter's Two Week Doctor's Appointment

This week, Carter had his second doctor's appointment. Needless to say, Dave and I were not prepared. We spent the evening before taking bets on how much weight he might have gained. As a sidebar, he left the hospital at 7lbs, 15oz and, as of Tuesday, was 9lbs, 4oz. Both of us were under on our estimates. The doctor's response to me was "wow, you two have been busy!" What can I say? Our baby boy is an eater. But back to the main story -- Carter was circumcised at this week's appointment and, I think I can speak for both Dave and I myself when I say that we had no idea what was involved. And, because we're betting most of you have never been through it, either, I dug up a picture of the instrument (or medieval torture device, depending on your point of view) they used on our poor baby. They laid Carter into a plastic body shell and then strapped both his legs and arms down. They administered a local anaesthetic, but he was so angry about the entire thing (who wouldn't be?!?) that he both pooped and peed during the procedure. So much for a sterile field for the doctor!!! Is it weird that we were both a little proud of him? He fought back as best as he could!

Dave spent the entire time up by Carter's head soothing him with sugar water and Billy Joel's "Piano Man." We don't quite know why, but the song manages to calm him down without fail. The funny part is that in the middle of the circumcision, with all of Carter's screaming, Dave couldn't remember the whole song, so just kept repeating the second verse over and over again. The doctor and nurse were laughing, but also suitably impressed that it worked so well on the baby!

I hung out by Carter's feet and just stared in shock as the procedure progressed. I felt so helpless!

Carter handled the procedure like a champ, all in all, and has been recovering nicely at home, with only some mild fussiness on his part.