My goodness how time is flying by! I realized in looking at the posts that it's been 3 weeks since I posted last! I guess lack of sleep makes each day roll into one!
Stephen is doing so well and is now 5 weeks old!! The Enfamil Gentlease formula has been a great switch for him as the gas and constipation are under much better control now! We will be introducing a new formula at night called "Restful" by Enfamil.... the idea is that is expands more than regular formula in the tummy making babies feel fuller, longer at night and therefore sleeping longer stretches! While he has had several stints of sleeping up to 3 hours at a time, we still have the consistency of 2 - 2 1/2 hours between feedings from about 10:30pm until 5am. I'm absolutely exhausted as I take care of the majority of these feedings so Brett can get longer stretches of sleep in order to function at work. I'm quite hopeful this formula will help him reach the 3-4 hours of sleep at a time mark!
We did see the pediatrician today - Stephen has his first bout of thrush. Poor baby's mouth clearly hurts and gets to start antibiotics today to help! The best part about our visit today besides getting medicine for him.... he weighed in at 10.6 pounds!!!!!!! The doctor was thrilled with his growth and was in fact suprised he wasn't sleeping in longer stretches based on his weight. Little guy has chubby cheeks and is finally fitting into his 3 month sleepers (and even outgrowing a few of the newborn ones!)!
We're all definitely doing well and adjusting as a family with Stephen in our lives! Daddy couldn't be prouder each day to come home and just hold his son and I'm loving every second (even when sleepy-eyed!) I get to spend with him! Heidi still loves holding him every chance she gets and not a day goes by when Connor isn't asking how his brother did during the day! Life is so good!!!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
2 week doctor visit
Stephen saw the pediatrician for his 2 week well visit this Wednesday. He has GROWN!!! He weighed in at 7.1 pounds and was 21" long!! That's a growth of 2" since he was born! No wonder his sleepers are finally feeling his little feet in the legs now!
We switched to formula a week ago and noticed within about 2 days that Stephen was struggling with constipation. The pediatrician suggested we switch from standard Enfamil to the Enfamil Gentlease for fussiness and gas. This formula has about 80% LESS lactose proteins than the standard formula and she thought it would help his constipation. After only 2 bottles of it - Stephen confirmed that the doctor was correct! :) It looks like he'll be taking after his Daddy with at least a mild form of lactose intolerance - so we'll be keeping him on this particular formula at least for now!
The pediatrician explained his sleeping schedule is quite normal and what she would expect for a 7 pound baby. She made a good point as she said that while he is 2 weeks old and the "norm" I read about may be that he should be sleeping 3-4 hours at least, the "norm" baby at 2 weeks old weighs closer to the 8-10 pound mark. He's having to play catch-up to meet that norm and based on his weight, she'd almost be concerned if he WAS sleeping 4 hours at a time and not eating every 2-2 1/2 hours. So, Brett and I just continue to plug along with our 2 hour shifts overnight and look forward to the weekends when we can both rely on one another more to get some extra naps in!
We switched to formula a week ago and noticed within about 2 days that Stephen was struggling with constipation. The pediatrician suggested we switch from standard Enfamil to the Enfamil Gentlease for fussiness and gas. This formula has about 80% LESS lactose proteins than the standard formula and she thought it would help his constipation. After only 2 bottles of it - Stephen confirmed that the doctor was correct! :) It looks like he'll be taking after his Daddy with at least a mild form of lactose intolerance - so we'll be keeping him on this particular formula at least for now!
The pediatrician explained his sleeping schedule is quite normal and what she would expect for a 7 pound baby. She made a good point as she said that while he is 2 weeks old and the "norm" I read about may be that he should be sleeping 3-4 hours at least, the "norm" baby at 2 weeks old weighs closer to the 8-10 pound mark. He's having to play catch-up to meet that norm and based on his weight, she'd almost be concerned if he WAS sleeping 4 hours at a time and not eating every 2-2 1/2 hours. So, Brett and I just continue to plug along with our 2 hour shifts overnight and look forward to the weekends when we can both rely on one another more to get some extra naps in!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
2 weeks old today!
It is amazing how the days and weeks just dragged on while pregnant with little Stephen, and now that he's here I swear we must have blinked as 2 weeks have already gone by!
Stephen is honestly a WONDERFUL baby! Our only downfall at this point is that he is entering some "fussy" time each day we're beginning to struggle through. Unfortunately, that fussy time occurs between 9:30pm - 2:00AM!! Could he have his days and nights mixed up? We are starting to think this could be the case, but since he is still sleeping a good 20/24 hours a day, it's hard to tell!
He has found the Winnie the Pooh embroidered on his bumper pad to hold his attention when he's awake in the crib. It's so rewarding to hear his little squeaks and "baby noises" telling us he's awake and to check on him to find him staring at the bright-colored Pooh embroidery! I know he'll be "talking" to Pooh in a matter of weeks, but for now just seeing his beautiful eyes making contact is enjoyment!
Stephen is honestly a WONDERFUL baby! Our only downfall at this point is that he is entering some "fussy" time each day we're beginning to struggle through. Unfortunately, that fussy time occurs between 9:30pm - 2:00AM!! Could he have his days and nights mixed up? We are starting to think this could be the case, but since he is still sleeping a good 20/24 hours a day, it's hard to tell!
He has found the Winnie the Pooh embroidered on his bumper pad to hold his attention when he's awake in the crib. It's so rewarding to hear his little squeaks and "baby noises" telling us he's awake and to check on him to find him staring at the bright-colored Pooh embroidery! I know he'll be "talking" to Pooh in a matter of weeks, but for now just seeing his beautiful eyes making contact is enjoyment!
Heidi is 13!!
Official TEENAGER in our house!!?? Definitely YES! Heidi turned 13 Saturday, September 25th and enjoyed the day relaxing and having lunch with her "Me-Maw" and Connor.
Sunday we celebrated as a family and enjoyed time with all of the extended family. She specifically requested a taco bar for lunch, so Brett fixed her the nachos, tacos and burritos with all of the fixins. Peyton, Camille, Nikki, Kallie, Heidi and Connor got to play together outside enjoying the beautiful day while the adults enjoyed watching the Chiefs get to another victory! Miss Jill made Heidi's special cake that everyone thought was fabulous!
Heidi received many nice gifts including a couple of outfits, jewlery and she was very happy with some monetary gifts! She plans on spending time with me going shopping for more clothes (definitely a teenage girl's wishes!) to spend her birthday money! It was a fun time for all as we got to celebrate my once "little girl" turn into a young lady!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Stephen is HERE!!!
Tuesday, September 14th, Brett and I checked into labor and delivery at 6:15am. I was immediately hooked up with pitocin and an hour later my doctor broke my water! Knowing the contractions would only get stronger the, I asked for the epidural. While not feeling any pain whatsoever was wonderful, and dilating from a 2 to 4 in a short amount of time was great, I was so completely numb I couldn't lift my legs or move at all!!We had the anestheologist come in twice over the next couple of hours to decrease the epidural medicine, so finally by noon I was able to at least feel something! My doctor checked me just after 12:30 and said it was time!! Still in no pain at all, I pushed 3 times and Stephen was born at 12:58pm weighing in at 6.5 pounds and 19" long!!
Brett was absolutely fabulous through the whole 6 hours and I couldn't have asked for a better coach! The look on Brett's face when Stephen was born was a memory I'll hold dearest to my heart forever! Stephen is the most precious gift either of us could have given each other just a year after being married!!
Heidi and Connor met Stephen that evening after school and fell in love with their new brother! Heidi's fears of having another annoying brother seemed to immediately fade as she holds Steve as much as possible even a week after his birth, loves helping pick out his outft for the day, and even
assists with the dirty diaper changes! Connor kisses Stephen as much as possible and is always checking on him to make sure he's comfortable. 
Brett and I have never felt more blessed than we do right now to have our family! We are excited beyond belief to watch all 3 of our kids continue to grow, change, and prosper! Stephen is a GREAT baby and the best addition to our family God could have given us!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
The date is set!
Stephen has decided now that we're at the technical "full-term" definition of this pregnancy at 37 1/2 weeks, he's enjoying the ride! Therefore, we will be inducing beginning Monday, Sept. 13th with an appointment at the doctor's office to put a gel on my cervix to allow effacement to take place. This COULD send me into labor by that late afternoon/evening, but if not, then we'll go to the hospital at 6:30am Tuesday, Sept. 14th for the remainder of the induction - meaning the pitocin will be started, I'll immediately ask for the epidural, and the doctor will then break my water. We'll have our baby in our arms in only 6 more days MAX!
Of course, now that we've put the full plan in place, Stephen could still decide to come on his own at any given time. Since he's clearly shown his stubborn side (much like his Daddy - but did I say that!?), I'm almost expecting all the planning to be a moot point! As of yesterday, my cervix was still the same and he had not lodged himself in the birth canal yet. The doctor performed a sonogram and he looks so CUTE (what Mom doesn't say that!) with a round face, big eyes and a little nose! The measurements showed his growth has finally slowed down to be "right on track" and is guesstimated to wind up with a birth weight next week of around 6.10-6.11 pounds.
Needless to say, the whole family is more than ready for Stephen to make his appearance, especially since we know he's big enough and healthy enough to not warrant unexpected complications or worries. Each day that Brett has a "crazy day" at school he makes sure I know "Today would be a great day to have a baby!" so he can be off of work for a week! I keep reminding him that this is HIS son so he should be having conversations to my belly. :) Of course he DOES - but so far we're still planning on celebrating his birthday next week.
Of course, now that we've put the full plan in place, Stephen could still decide to come on his own at any given time. Since he's clearly shown his stubborn side (much like his Daddy - but did I say that!?), I'm almost expecting all the planning to be a moot point! As of yesterday, my cervix was still the same and he had not lodged himself in the birth canal yet. The doctor performed a sonogram and he looks so CUTE (what Mom doesn't say that!) with a round face, big eyes and a little nose! The measurements showed his growth has finally slowed down to be "right on track" and is guesstimated to wind up with a birth weight next week of around 6.10-6.11 pounds.
Needless to say, the whole family is more than ready for Stephen to make his appearance, especially since we know he's big enough and healthy enough to not warrant unexpected complications or worries. Each day that Brett has a "crazy day" at school he makes sure I know "Today would be a great day to have a baby!" so he can be off of work for a week! I keep reminding him that this is HIS son so he should be having conversations to my belly. :) Of course he DOES - but so far we're still planning on celebrating his birthday next week.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Stephen updates...
We've made it to 36 weeks!!! This BIG guy appears to be comfy and cozy at times, and ready to bust out of my gut at other times! We've had to make a couple more trips to the hospital since the first contraction visit, but with medication administered from weeks 33 - 34 we were able to calm things down enough to allow him more time to grow and develop!
The office visits to the ob/gyn are weekly now, and since 33 weeks have resulted in relatively no change. I'm still dilated to 1 1/2 and 50% effaced which could mean I'll sit at this spot for awhile longer, or I could start changing quickly with contractions.
I am now visiting the hospital 2x a week until delivery for non-stress tests on Steve. These are completely precautionary, but a way for my doctor to monitor his movements and heart rate. While this test is supposed to take only 20 minutes, yesterday's visit ended up being over 1 1/2 hours due to Stephen's heart rate dropping to 120 (rather than the typical 140-160 it's generally around) for a good 30 seconds. After moving my position he "leveled out" again and all is well. The nurse thought he was probably pulling on the umbilical cord to play with it, thus cutting off some of his blood supply and causing his heart rate to drop.
Stephen is definitely a mover almost 24/7 and I don't mean a little kick or poke here or there. He is ALL OVER the place and Brett said my stomach looks like I have an alien trying to get out! I showed Heidi his movement (clearly visible from the opposite end of the couch!) the other night to which she replied, "Oh I can't even look at THAT! That's excactly why I'm adopting!!" Connor on the other hand, absolutely loves to watch and feel his brother move and will give my belly kisses trying to calm him down!
Our goal from the beginning of this pregnancy was to get to the 36 week mark and now that we've made it, the entire family is more than ready for him to be in our arms instead of my stomach! He's guesstimated to be weighing in at over 6 pounds now (Brett still thinks he's already closer to 7 pounds!) and the doctor as assured us all development has taken place so chances of being in the NICU are practically non-existent. So...we are ready and just anxiously waiting for him to decide which day will indeed be his birthday!
The office visits to the ob/gyn are weekly now, and since 33 weeks have resulted in relatively no change. I'm still dilated to 1 1/2 and 50% effaced which could mean I'll sit at this spot for awhile longer, or I could start changing quickly with contractions.
I am now visiting the hospital 2x a week until delivery for non-stress tests on Steve. These are completely precautionary, but a way for my doctor to monitor his movements and heart rate. While this test is supposed to take only 20 minutes, yesterday's visit ended up being over 1 1/2 hours due to Stephen's heart rate dropping to 120 (rather than the typical 140-160 it's generally around) for a good 30 seconds. After moving my position he "leveled out" again and all is well. The nurse thought he was probably pulling on the umbilical cord to play with it, thus cutting off some of his blood supply and causing his heart rate to drop.
Stephen is definitely a mover almost 24/7 and I don't mean a little kick or poke here or there. He is ALL OVER the place and Brett said my stomach looks like I have an alien trying to get out! I showed Heidi his movement (clearly visible from the opposite end of the couch!) the other night to which she replied, "Oh I can't even look at THAT! That's excactly why I'm adopting!!" Connor on the other hand, absolutely loves to watch and feel his brother move and will give my belly kisses trying to calm him down!
Our goal from the beginning of this pregnancy was to get to the 36 week mark and now that we've made it, the entire family is more than ready for him to be in our arms instead of my stomach! He's guesstimated to be weighing in at over 6 pounds now (Brett still thinks he's already closer to 7 pounds!) and the doctor as assured us all development has taken place so chances of being in the NICU are practically non-existent. So...we are ready and just anxiously waiting for him to decide which day will indeed be his birthday!
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