This has been a really busy week, filled with lots of appointments, very little sleep, but lots of joy and laughter. Wanted to write an update on the kids last Pedi well-visit.
Hunter 2 week well visit:
Weight: 8 lbs 3 oz (50th percentile)
Height: 21 3/4" (70th percentile)
Madison 18 month well visit:
Weight: 29 lbs (95th percentile)
Height: 34" (95th percentile)
Both kids checked out very healthy. Madison is on track with her speech/vocabulary and more advanced with her small motor skills. The doctor was impressed she could hold a crayon correctly, build buildings and work puzzles for up to age 3 all on her own. She babbles constantly, but only says a few dozen words (without her just mimicking us). She eats a good variety of food, as we try to limit sugars and carbs and not too much dairy, but also push veggies and fruits. After explaining some of Madison's newly exhibited social anxiety, the doctor explained that she experienced a lot of stress during the time when I was away in the hospital and even when I was at home, yet not able to fully act like "Mommy". He said that in a couple months, she would be just fine. Hunter is doing well and such a joy. He is my little buddy. He sleeps well some nights. Other nights, it seems like he is awake all night long. He is exhibiting a little bit of the "silent reflux" like Madison had, so we started him on medicine for it. (Silent reflux is where they have the acid reflux in their espophagus, but never actually spit up. The pain causes a lot of discomfort, still.) Also, in order for me to get more sleep and be able to take care of two kids successfully, we are introducing a bit of formula at some of his feedings. I still nurse him at the majority of his feedings now, but will eventually and gradually transition to some bottles. It was a difficult decision for me (and a long story, which I'll write about later!), yet it is the right decision for myself and especially my family!
We've had a great week with my parents here and we are so, so grateful for all of the help they've given to us! Madison has loved playing indoors and outdoors with my mom and dad. My dad bought Madison her very own keyboard, on which they've had "piano lessons" - it is so cute. My mom has been a huge help to me this week, getting up to help with feedings at night, walk Hunter around in the middle of the night, do laundry every day, clean house, etc. On Tuesday, we celebrated my Dad's birthday with a big Mexican meal from a nearby restaurant. Thank you, Aunt Jan, for the money you gifted us to go out to eat together!! We also celebrated with an icecream cake. On Thursday evening, I met my girlfriends here at a wonderful little restaurant for dinner. It was wonderful to see them and have some girl time. Last night, Mark and I went out to eat to celebrate my birthday - alone! We hadn't done that since before we moved here, can you believe it?! He took me to a Japanese restaurant and we enjoyed it so much. My birthday is Monday, but we are getting a cake and celebrating tonight as a family. We also are meeting with a photographer this evening in attempt to get some pictures of the kids...wish us luck!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Update 1/25
Busy, busy, busy - that word best describes our world lately. But oh, how extremely HAPPY are we!
Hunter has been growing and eating really well. I took him in for another weight check on Monday and he weighed 7 lbs 10 oz. Jaundice is no longer a threat, either. Nursing has been going really well, but a lot of work. Definitely the right decison for us. After having such a demanding feeding routine with Madison being a preemie, I debated even nursing Hunter or going right to the bottle. Personally, it would not have been right for me if I never even tried it with him. But, we've persevered and I'm so glad we've stuck with it. He is so strong. He has great head and neck control. He lifts up his head all the time. And, while laying on his belly, he can even lift his chest off the floor using his arms. Madison had good neck/head control, but I've never seen an almost two week old do this. He definitely is a Mama's boy already, so Mark says. He likes to be held by Mama and is quickly contented. He has a high pitched squeal and makes baby noises all the time. He doesn't like to be cold and hates whenever he gets his diaper changed, poor thing. He is pretty content most of the time. He's been doing well during the nights, going 4-5 hours now between feedings, which gives me more sleep!
Madison is doing well, also. She is very sweet with her brother and gives him a good morning kiss each morning, even before giving Mommy a kiss! She gives him a diaper and paci sometimes (yes, we've caved in with the paci a few times). She is talking up a storm now. She reads her books to all of us throughout the day. She is eating a lot more new foods. She is building towers with her blocks and they are becoming more elaborate. For example, she can build a tower 4 blocks wide and 20 block high. Her small motor skills are really good, so her teacher says. She can hold a crayon between her thumb and pointer finger, even, rather than just "fisting" it. Her favorite activity is still playing outside, with her second favorite activity being art. She also loves to rearrange our furniture - our chairs around the table or our bar stools. She is very active, climbing, running, jumping - you name it. And she loves to carry large items around...luggage, purses, boxes, anything she can get her hands on. My Dad bought her some new jewelry from Disneyland and those are her new favorite items. She is very fancy! Because the number of infants with whooping cough, flu, and RSV is higher this season than any other in the past (it's been all over the news here, too), our Pedi has recommended we keep Madison out of Mother's Day Out through February, to protect Hunter's health. We've all goten our Tdap shot (I got mine before I even left the hospital!) and flu shot as well.
We've been having a fabulous time with my Mom here. She's been so much help! I can't imagine this time without her here. She's helped so much with Madison while I can focus on the new baby. We've enjoyed getting out to do some shopping as well. My dad has taken some time off of work in between business trips and flew in yesterday to visit us for a week! We're really excited about this, since we only get to see him a couple times a year. And, this is his first time to visit our house since we've moved. We'll celebrate his birthday on Tuesday, and then have an early celebration for my birthday which is next Monday. Oh, the best birthday gift? I now fit back into my pre-pregnancy pants and jeans! Only 10 more pounds to lose. Someday. :)
Before I forget, I want to thank all of the BCC parents who so kindly sent gifts along with my Mom to bring to Madison and Hunter! We had our own shower here when my mom arrived and opened her suitcase! It was awesome to feel your support and love during the pregnancy and we so appreciate your kindness in these wonderful gifts!!!
We have a busy week coming up...Madison and Hunter both have a Pedi well-visit tomorrow (2 week and 18 month) and Hunter has a 2 week check-up at the hospital (routine practice here). I have an appointment at the OB/GYN on Tuesday, where I hope to determine what to do about this left-in cerclage. I'll post more after the kids checkup tomorrow!
Yesterday was the one of the best days of my life. Nothing major happened, no special event. It was fairly simple, actually. Mark, Madison, Hunter and myself were in the middle of the living room floor playing together while music was playing in the background and the sun was shining outside. Our whole family was together, enjoying every minute. We were laughing at all the things our kids were doing - hilarious to us, probably not so funny to anyone else besides us. In the middle of it all, I just found myself smiling and thinking of all the many miracles that have happened in just the last two years...
- Madison's conception via IVF
- Her survival at week 23 gestation
- Her growth through week 35 gestation
- Discovering her IUGR (growth restriction) before fetal demise would have taken place within 24 hrs.
- Survival in her first few days of life, healing of her lungs, and 2 weeks in the NICU
- Hunter's natural conception
- His survival at week 26 gestation
- His growth through week 38 1/2
- My healing and being able to keep Hunter in utero during 8 weeks in the hospital
- Hunter born a healthy baby
- My close call on the operating table and healing of my body
It's been so much work and has taken a lot of patience. But we never gave up. But no matter how hard we worked at it, or how many doctors we saw, none of this would have happened without the healing hands of God. He deserves all the glory and praise. I will forever be thankful. We trusted in Him and He was faithful to us, answering all of our (including all the blog readers!) prayers!
Look at my new Mickey Mouse bracelets and Mickey Mouse necklace with my name on it! I had to wear them again today as soon as I woke up!
Grammy, Papa and Hunter
What cuties! Avery and Madison over the weekend.
Madison and Jenna
Madison and our next door neighbors, Jenna, Brayden and Collin.
Oh, I am just so hilarious!
I love to push my baby doll in its stroller.
We're already crazy about shoes...thus had to take a picture!
Here are my puppy slippers
What a little angel...
This is my gangsta look...
Mommy put all pink blankets on me...because we only have one blue one! Just don't tell Daddy.
Daddy reading to Hunter
Hunter has been growing and eating really well. I took him in for another weight check on Monday and he weighed 7 lbs 10 oz. Jaundice is no longer a threat, either. Nursing has been going really well, but a lot of work. Definitely the right decison for us. After having such a demanding feeding routine with Madison being a preemie, I debated even nursing Hunter or going right to the bottle. Personally, it would not have been right for me if I never even tried it with him. But, we've persevered and I'm so glad we've stuck with it. He is so strong. He has great head and neck control. He lifts up his head all the time. And, while laying on his belly, he can even lift his chest off the floor using his arms. Madison had good neck/head control, but I've never seen an almost two week old do this. He definitely is a Mama's boy already, so Mark says. He likes to be held by Mama and is quickly contented. He has a high pitched squeal and makes baby noises all the time. He doesn't like to be cold and hates whenever he gets his diaper changed, poor thing. He is pretty content most of the time. He's been doing well during the nights, going 4-5 hours now between feedings, which gives me more sleep!
Madison is doing well, also. She is very sweet with her brother and gives him a good morning kiss each morning, even before giving Mommy a kiss! She gives him a diaper and paci sometimes (yes, we've caved in with the paci a few times). She is talking up a storm now. She reads her books to all of us throughout the day. She is eating a lot more new foods. She is building towers with her blocks and they are becoming more elaborate. For example, she can build a tower 4 blocks wide and 20 block high. Her small motor skills are really good, so her teacher says. She can hold a crayon between her thumb and pointer finger, even, rather than just "fisting" it. Her favorite activity is still playing outside, with her second favorite activity being art. She also loves to rearrange our furniture - our chairs around the table or our bar stools. She is very active, climbing, running, jumping - you name it. And she loves to carry large items around...luggage, purses, boxes, anything she can get her hands on. My Dad bought her some new jewelry from Disneyland and those are her new favorite items. She is very fancy! Because the number of infants with whooping cough, flu, and RSV is higher this season than any other in the past (it's been all over the news here, too), our Pedi has recommended we keep Madison out of Mother's Day Out through February, to protect Hunter's health. We've all goten our Tdap shot (I got mine before I even left the hospital!) and flu shot as well.
We've been having a fabulous time with my Mom here. She's been so much help! I can't imagine this time without her here. She's helped so much with Madison while I can focus on the new baby. We've enjoyed getting out to do some shopping as well. My dad has taken some time off of work in between business trips and flew in yesterday to visit us for a week! We're really excited about this, since we only get to see him a couple times a year. And, this is his first time to visit our house since we've moved. We'll celebrate his birthday on Tuesday, and then have an early celebration for my birthday which is next Monday. Oh, the best birthday gift? I now fit back into my pre-pregnancy pants and jeans! Only 10 more pounds to lose. Someday. :)
Before I forget, I want to thank all of the BCC parents who so kindly sent gifts along with my Mom to bring to Madison and Hunter! We had our own shower here when my mom arrived and opened her suitcase! It was awesome to feel your support and love during the pregnancy and we so appreciate your kindness in these wonderful gifts!!!
We have a busy week coming up...Madison and Hunter both have a Pedi well-visit tomorrow (2 week and 18 month) and Hunter has a 2 week check-up at the hospital (routine practice here). I have an appointment at the OB/GYN on Tuesday, where I hope to determine what to do about this left-in cerclage. I'll post more after the kids checkup tomorrow!
Yesterday was the one of the best days of my life. Nothing major happened, no special event. It was fairly simple, actually. Mark, Madison, Hunter and myself were in the middle of the living room floor playing together while music was playing in the background and the sun was shining outside. Our whole family was together, enjoying every minute. We were laughing at all the things our kids were doing - hilarious to us, probably not so funny to anyone else besides us. In the middle of it all, I just found myself smiling and thinking of all the many miracles that have happened in just the last two years...
- Madison's conception via IVF
- Her survival at week 23 gestation
- Her growth through week 35 gestation
- Discovering her IUGR (growth restriction) before fetal demise would have taken place within 24 hrs.
- Survival in her first few days of life, healing of her lungs, and 2 weeks in the NICU
- Hunter's natural conception
- His survival at week 26 gestation
- His growth through week 38 1/2
- My healing and being able to keep Hunter in utero during 8 weeks in the hospital
- Hunter born a healthy baby
- My close call on the operating table and healing of my body
It's been so much work and has taken a lot of patience. But we never gave up. But no matter how hard we worked at it, or how many doctors we saw, none of this would have happened without the healing hands of God. He deserves all the glory and praise. I will forever be thankful. We trusted in Him and He was faithful to us, answering all of our (including all the blog readers!) prayers!
Papa and Madison playing outside
Look at my new Mickey Mouse bracelets and Mickey Mouse necklace with my name on it! I had to wear them again today as soon as I woke up!
Grammy, Papa and Hunter
What cuties! Avery and Madison over the weekend.
Madison and Jenna
Madison and our next door neighbors, Jenna, Brayden and Collin.
Oh, I am just so hilarious!
I love to push my baby doll in its stroller.
We're already crazy about shoes...thus had to take a picture!
Here are my puppy slippers
What a little angel...
This is my gangsta look...
Mommy put all pink blankets on me...because we only have one blue one! Just don't tell Daddy.
Daddy reading to Hunter
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Our first few days at home with Hunter
This little fella has brought so much joy into our lives. We feel so lucky, so blessed, to have him. To think of all of the miracles that happened to bring him into the world.
After we got home on Thursday and took a few key pictures, we enjoyed the afternoon and evening getting to know our new son. Mark's parents enjoyed spending time with their new grandson before leaving on Saturday. We're so thankful for their help with Madison and we know they're really going to miss eachother.
On Friday morning, we were asked to take Hunter in to the Pediatrician's office for a weight check. When we left the hospital, Hunter weighed 7 lb 1 oz. On Friday, he weighed 7 lb 3 oz - so he gained 2 oz, which is great! He had been getting enough to eat. (Typically, babies gain about 1 oz a day when they're this young.) My mom arrived on Friday and we were all so happy to see her! I'm so glad she was able to come back and help us. She, too, has loved every minute spent with her two grandkids. Since then, Hunter has been doing great. Nursing is going really well. We've worked hard at it and it's paid off. The only challenge is that he tends to be awake more and eat more often at night compared to during the day...so I hope to change that soon! Besides that, we are just plain exhausted. NO SLEEP whatsoever, as he eats about every 2-3 hours.
I'm so happy to be back at home with Madison, too. I've really missed spending quality time with her taking care of her as only Mommy can do. She has been really sweet with Hunter, giving him lots of kisses each day. Since bringing Hunter home, there are times when I look at her and think she looks so grown up - like a five year old little girl! Other times, I see her more as a baby herself, as she is only 18 months old. In fact, shortly after we returned home on Thursday, I had Hunter in my arms and I bent down to give Madison a kiss. Seeing my two "babies" together, for the first time I immediately said to myself, "Oh my gosh, what have I done!" Although it will be tough in the beginning, we're so happy our kids are close together in age. We look forward to our future!
Our little man...
How many people does it take to put together a Fisher Price grocery cart?
Our neighbor, Greta, with Hunter. Thank you for the delicious homemade chicken and dumplings dinner you brought to us!!
Chiling out on Mommy's bed...
Resting comfortably in Grammy's arms...
What a precious little face...
Grammy, Mommy, Hunter, Daddy and Madison
On Saturday, Clareanne and Raymond came to visit us from Houston! We love you!
Madison and Mommy
After we got home on Thursday and took a few key pictures, we enjoyed the afternoon and evening getting to know our new son. Mark's parents enjoyed spending time with their new grandson before leaving on Saturday. We're so thankful for their help with Madison and we know they're really going to miss eachother.
On Friday morning, we were asked to take Hunter in to the Pediatrician's office for a weight check. When we left the hospital, Hunter weighed 7 lb 1 oz. On Friday, he weighed 7 lb 3 oz - so he gained 2 oz, which is great! He had been getting enough to eat. (Typically, babies gain about 1 oz a day when they're this young.) My mom arrived on Friday and we were all so happy to see her! I'm so glad she was able to come back and help us. She, too, has loved every minute spent with her two grandkids. Since then, Hunter has been doing great. Nursing is going really well. We've worked hard at it and it's paid off. The only challenge is that he tends to be awake more and eat more often at night compared to during the day...so I hope to change that soon! Besides that, we are just plain exhausted. NO SLEEP whatsoever, as he eats about every 2-3 hours.
I'm so happy to be back at home with Madison, too. I've really missed spending quality time with her taking care of her as only Mommy can do. She has been really sweet with Hunter, giving him lots of kisses each day. Since bringing Hunter home, there are times when I look at her and think she looks so grown up - like a five year old little girl! Other times, I see her more as a baby herself, as she is only 18 months old. In fact, shortly after we returned home on Thursday, I had Hunter in my arms and I bent down to give Madison a kiss. Seeing my two "babies" together, for the first time I immediately said to myself, "Oh my gosh, what have I done!" Although it will be tough in the beginning, we're so happy our kids are close together in age. We look forward to our future!
Our little man...
How many people does it take to put together a Fisher Price grocery cart?
Thank you, Aunt Sarah and Dave, for my new toy! I've loved playing with it!Our neighbor, Greta, with Hunter. Thank you for the delicious homemade chicken and dumplings dinner you brought to us!!
Chiling out on Mommy's bed...
Resting comfortably in Grammy's arms...
What a precious little face...
Grammy, Mommy, Hunter, Daddy and Madison
On Saturday, Clareanne and Raymond came to visit us from Houston! We love you!
Madison and Mommy
Tipping up Grammy's sweet tea...
Hunter's first bath...
Hunter's first bath...
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