And it isn't a cold. Owen is teething. Joy. Sunday night, like I mentioned in my post yesterday, he was up every two hours. Yesterday afternoon, I went out and got several products that help ease the discomfort that he's feeling. I also tried to give him a teething ring that was in the freezer. He didn't take it, I think it was too cold for him. It's now in the fridge instead. The good news is that last night he slept through. Jeffy was up with him until 10:30 or 11:00 (I went to bed at about 7:30), then put him down. He fussed for a couple of minutes, but put himself to sleep for the rest of the night in about his normal time frame. I think Sunday night tired him out pretty good. I know it did me! lol
It breaks my heart to have him so uncomfortable. I wish I could just take the pain away from him. He probably doesn't know what's happening. To him, his mouth is just all of a sudden really sore. I hope these teeth cut through pretty soon. I've heard that the first time is the worst, so things will hopefully get better in the future. I hope he sleeps through the night again!
2.28.2006
2.27.2006
A Long Night
My poor Little Man. He is either teething or has a cold. We (all three of us) were up about every two hours last night. Owen has never done that, not even as a newborn. At least we normally get lots of sleep so this isn't horrible on us. He'd rock to sleep on my shoulder, but as soon as I would put him in his crib, he'd wake up and start crying again. We ended up switching who got up with him. At around 4:00, I asked Jeffy to rock him so I could get some sleep. Jeffy put him down in his bouncy chair where he fell asleep and stayed asleep till about 6:30. He nursed and slept most of the day yesterday. I'm at work today (it was easier than making sub plans!) I'm a tired mama. At least it's a relatively easy day today. Only 6 classes.
2.15.2006
Four months old!
has it really been that long already!? he is now reaching for us at times, when i go down to kiss him before leaving for work, he arches up and gives me a great angle. this kid is growing so quick!
we went to the pediatrician on monday. owen is now in the 45th% for weight (up from 20th%), the 70th% for head circumference, and still at the 95th% for lenght. he weighed 14 lbs, 8 oz on monday and is now 26.5 inches long. long and lean! he really looks like he is just going to get up and crawl away.
we are so lucky he is such a good baby. last night he and i went to be silent observers at a school consolodation committee (my school is on the short list of 6 that will be narrowed to four next week) and he did great. he got chatty toward the end, but that was after 2 1/2 hours. he did great! we spent the last 30 minutes out in the hallway outside of the meeting room. people kept telling me what a good baby he is. :-)
we went to the pediatrician on monday. owen is now in the 45th% for weight (up from 20th%), the 70th% for head circumference, and still at the 95th% for lenght. he weighed 14 lbs, 8 oz on monday and is now 26.5 inches long. long and lean! he really looks like he is just going to get up and crawl away.
we are so lucky he is such a good baby. last night he and i went to be silent observers at a school consolodation committee (my school is on the short list of 6 that will be narrowed to four next week) and he did great. he got chatty toward the end, but that was after 2 1/2 hours. he did great! we spent the last 30 minutes out in the hallway outside of the meeting room. people kept telling me what a good baby he is. :-)
2.09.2006
Rolly Poley Owen!
Since I talked with my sister last night, I can now tell you all what Owen's latest trick is. He went over from his back to his tummy! This morning when I went in to get him, his head was still pointing the same direction I had set him in, but he was on his side. The bumper kept him from rolling completely over, I suspect. He's a very active child when he's asleep. Much like his daddy was (according to my mother-in-law at least). We can no longer leave him on elevated surfaces.
What a fun kid he's turning into! I'm really loving this motherhood thing! :-)
What a fun kid he's turning into! I'm really loving this motherhood thing! :-)
2.08.2006
AAARGGG!
A continuation on my last post. The same thing has happened twice (!!!) this week. Granted the first time was at the school I'm at on Mondays only and there was no sign on the door, the door was just closed. At least it was two women who had been in my position before. And then, just five minutes ago, the night custodian walked right in. The sign was on the door and he ignored it. Luckily for both of us, I wasnt' pumping yet because I kinda thought he would do that. (Locking the door isn't even an option with him. He has keys!) I'm afraid I was kinda short with him ("The sign is there for a reason. I put it out when I'm getting ready to pump.") We'll see if it happens again with him. He's put me into panic attacks before on program nights by not setting up the chairs like he was supposed to. (Didn't I blog about that last year? I think I did.)
Anyway, enough ranting. Yesterday when I got home, Jeffy told me that Owen managed to get his sock half-way off during the day yesterday. When he (Jeffy) went to try to figure out how he did that, he realized that Owen had done something else! You'll have to wait until my sister calls me though to find out what it is. (Is that a big enough hint, kiddo!?) ;-)
I can't believe he will be four months old on Sunday! Wow! He has grown so much so fast.
Anyone know what color the Pittsburgh Steeler's 12th man flag is? Not that we're upset or anything here. No, not us!
Anyway, enough ranting. Yesterday when I got home, Jeffy told me that Owen managed to get his sock half-way off during the day yesterday. When he (Jeffy) went to try to figure out how he did that, he realized that Owen had done something else! You'll have to wait until my sister calls me though to find out what it is. (Is that a big enough hint, kiddo!?) ;-)
I can't believe he will be four months old on Sunday! Wow! He has grown so much so fast.
Anyone know what color the Pittsburgh Steeler's 12th man flag is? Not that we're upset or anything here. No, not us!
2.01.2006
Frustrations
Do Not Disturb
Thank You!
This is what is printed (in red) on a sign that I hang from my door at school when I am pumping. Twice, so far, I have had people just ignore the sign and walk right on in. One was an adult who walked in and said, "I hope that doesn't apply to me. I just need to get my water cup." (It does, and she is in my room in the afternoons for the afterschool program.) Then this morning, I had a 5th grader open my door and start in. I stopped her at the door, but it was a bit awkward nonetheless. I don't lock my door because I often forget to unlock it and then leave and close my door with the keys inside. Why don't people read and comprehend? It's not that difficult a concept!
Thank You!
This is what is printed (in red) on a sign that I hang from my door at school when I am pumping. Twice, so far, I have had people just ignore the sign and walk right on in. One was an adult who walked in and said, "I hope that doesn't apply to me. I just need to get my water cup." (It does, and she is in my room in the afternoons for the afterschool program.) Then this morning, I had a 5th grader open my door and start in. I stopped her at the door, but it was a bit awkward nonetheless. I don't lock my door because I often forget to unlock it and then leave and close my door with the keys inside. Why don't people read and comprehend? It's not that difficult a concept!
1.20.2006
It's A Good Thing He's So Cute!
We were up at 3:45 this morning demanding to be fed. Joy. It made me a little late to work this morning because even though we were done feeding by 4:15, I didn't get back to sleep until close to (or maybe even after) 5:00. It was rough getting up this morning. Hauling my hind end out of bed in the morning is harder the closer to Friday we get. Add being up for an additional hour-plus this morning and it was harder yet. Like I said, it's a good thing Owen's so darned cute. At least it's not an every night sort of thing.
One thing I forgot to mention in my last post is that Owen was baptized a couple of weeks ago. My parents came up from Denver, my sister from Omaha, plus we had a bunch of family and friends who live in the area who came. It was a good weekend. It was also too short of a weekend. I would have liked to spend more time with my family. The Sunday morning, as we were getting ready to leave for church, my parents came over and the first thing they said was, "Well, we're not at X hotel anymore." There was a fire in the kitchen at their hotel so they were up in the middle of the night finding a new hotel. There wasn't much damage done to the hotel, which is good. It just reeked of smoke when we went back on Sunday afternoon to figure out the money issue. (They were only charged for the Friday night, and not for Saturday or Sunday nights.) During the actual baptism, neither Owen, nor the other baby who was being baptized even flinched when the water was poured over their heads. We decided that it had to have been somewhat warm. Owen slept through the whole thing! Brunch was at our home afterwards. It was nice. I'll get a picture of the quilt I designed and my mother made once we get it up in his room.
One thing I forgot to mention in my last post is that Owen was baptized a couple of weeks ago. My parents came up from Denver, my sister from Omaha, plus we had a bunch of family and friends who live in the area who came. It was a good weekend. It was also too short of a weekend. I would have liked to spend more time with my family. The Sunday morning, as we were getting ready to leave for church, my parents came over and the first thing they said was, "Well, we're not at X hotel anymore." There was a fire in the kitchen at their hotel so they were up in the middle of the night finding a new hotel. There wasn't much damage done to the hotel, which is good. It just reeked of smoke when we went back on Sunday afternoon to figure out the money issue. (They were only charged for the Friday night, and not for Saturday or Sunday nights.) During the actual baptism, neither Owen, nor the other baby who was being baptized even flinched when the water was poured over their heads. We decided that it had to have been somewhat warm. Owen slept through the whole thing! Brunch was at our home afterwards. It was nice. I'll get a picture of the quilt I designed and my mother made once we get it up in his room.
1.18.2006
Back in the Saddle Again
Back to work as of two weeks ago. It was rough the first day. I'd really rather be at home with Owen but, as Jeffy says, "Gotta make that money, honey." It's good incentive to get home as soon as the workday is over. I even get to nurse Owen right when I get home on Mondays. :-)
I've had a technologically frustrating return to work. I turn on my computer on Jan 3 (the first day back after the holidays) and have no network connection at all. This means I don't have internet access in my room and it also means that I can't print from my room. I can't even save to Global Shared (the school network) and print things from my computer on another computer. To access e-mail, I have to go to the lab, which is right next door. It's still a pain because there are three 10 minute chunks in my day when I am essentially stuck behind my desk (pumping) and am unable to do anything else. I like being able to use that time for e-mail or other productive computer usage. After two weeks and three many phone calls to tech services, I finally got things fixed yesterday. I called the first day back, nothing happened the first week except for a brief uninterruption of internet service on the 6th. I then called the next week (last week) a couple of times and was finally told that someone would be out either Monday or Tuesday of this week. Seeing as Monday was a holiday, the tech guy came out yesterday. I told him that it wasn't my computer, that it was the box (he confirmed my diagnosis). All it took to fix the problem was switching out one part that has had a habit of "going stupid" (to quote tech guy #2) in the district. Nice to know that it's a quick and easy fix. :-)
Owen continues to do well. He's putting on the baby fat now. :-) Giving the supplimental bottle is definately working. I can see a difference in him. He's still way cute! Daddy is going well with him at home. The most enlightened thing Jeffy has said to me since I've been back is "Having him sure makes it hard to get things done around here!" I simply replied, "Yeah, he does." It's good awareness on his part.
Homeward bound! I can't wait to see that precious little piece of heaven!
I've had a technologically frustrating return to work. I turn on my computer on Jan 3 (the first day back after the holidays) and have no network connection at all. This means I don't have internet access in my room and it also means that I can't print from my room. I can't even save to Global Shared (the school network) and print things from my computer on another computer. To access e-mail, I have to go to the lab, which is right next door. It's still a pain because there are three 10 minute chunks in my day when I am essentially stuck behind my desk (pumping) and am unable to do anything else. I like being able to use that time for e-mail or other productive computer usage. After two weeks and three many phone calls to tech services, I finally got things fixed yesterday. I called the first day back, nothing happened the first week except for a brief uninterruption of internet service on the 6th. I then called the next week (last week) a couple of times and was finally told that someone would be out either Monday or Tuesday of this week. Seeing as Monday was a holiday, the tech guy came out yesterday. I told him that it wasn't my computer, that it was the box (he confirmed my diagnosis). All it took to fix the problem was switching out one part that has had a habit of "going stupid" (to quote tech guy #2) in the district. Nice to know that it's a quick and easy fix. :-)
Owen continues to do well. He's putting on the baby fat now. :-) Giving the supplimental bottle is definately working. I can see a difference in him. He's still way cute! Daddy is going well with him at home. The most enlightened thing Jeffy has said to me since I've been back is "Having him sure makes it hard to get things done around here!" I simply replied, "Yeah, he does." It's good awareness on his part.
Homeward bound! I can't wait to see that precious little piece of heaven!
12.31.2005
Reflections and projections
Well, another year is nearly gone (9 hours to go as I start this post). 2005 has certainly been interesting, full of varied emotions ranging the entire spectrum. Last year as midnight hit, I was surprized at how much I was affected, after losing Jacob. I felt that I was leaving him behind a glass wall that he could never get through and that I was forever beyond. I cried at midnight last year. I'm pretty sure that midnight this year will be better, though a part of me feels that with each new year, Jacob gets left barther and farther behind.
This year, we have a lot to be thankful for. Owen joined us in all ways this last year. He is truely a blessing. One of the best we will ever receive in our lives. He has brought so much joy to our house, and there was already a lot of joy here. I look at him in awe and amazement each day. It's amazing to think that a year ago, he was merely a prayer and now he is here - a living, breathing person. He has taught me quite a bit these last 11+ weeks. I'm so excited to see him each morning, grinning at me as I sing him awake. FOr those of you who know me, he actually gives me a great excuse to get out of bed on time in the morning. His smile is totally worth it!
We are also thankful for our friends and family, who have blessed us tremendously with their love and support. We couldn't get through life without that. I know I have needed that support as I've frequently struggled with nursing difficulties. (Now I'm drinking one beer a day to help boost my supply. What a great side effect of beer!)
2006 brings a new year, going back to work, and more learning all around within our family. Beginning Tuesday, I go back to work and Owen stays home with Daddy. It's going to be a hard day for me, but I think I'm ready. I actually started planning stuff in my head today. Mentally, I'm ready to go back. Emotionally, not so much. I'm sure I'll cry all the way to work on Tuesday. It will be nice, however, to see the kids and parents again. Figuring out my pumping schedule will be a bit of a challenge, though. I anticipate it will take a couple of weeks to really get it down, mostly since my schedule is so different each day. Two pumpings will be fairly easy to plan and keep regular, but the third of the day will be a little bit more difficult. Suggestions from anyone who has done this would be much appreciated!
Happy New Year, everyone!
This year, we have a lot to be thankful for. Owen joined us in all ways this last year. He is truely a blessing. One of the best we will ever receive in our lives. He has brought so much joy to our house, and there was already a lot of joy here. I look at him in awe and amazement each day. It's amazing to think that a year ago, he was merely a prayer and now he is here - a living, breathing person. He has taught me quite a bit these last 11+ weeks. I'm so excited to see him each morning, grinning at me as I sing him awake. FOr those of you who know me, he actually gives me a great excuse to get out of bed on time in the morning. His smile is totally worth it!
We are also thankful for our friends and family, who have blessed us tremendously with their love and support. We couldn't get through life without that. I know I have needed that support as I've frequently struggled with nursing difficulties. (Now I'm drinking one beer a day to help boost my supply. What a great side effect of beer!)
2006 brings a new year, going back to work, and more learning all around within our family. Beginning Tuesday, I go back to work and Owen stays home with Daddy. It's going to be a hard day for me, but I think I'm ready. I actually started planning stuff in my head today. Mentally, I'm ready to go back. Emotionally, not so much. I'm sure I'll cry all the way to work on Tuesday. It will be nice, however, to see the kids and parents again. Figuring out my pumping schedule will be a bit of a challenge, though. I anticipate it will take a couple of weeks to really get it down, mostly since my schedule is so different each day. Two pumpings will be fairly easy to plan and keep regular, but the third of the day will be a little bit more difficult. Suggestions from anyone who has done this would be much appreciated!
Happy New Year, everyone!
12.26.2005
First Christmas!
Owen's first Christmas was a success. He was such a great kid during all of the festivities. He made it through the party at Daddy's parent's house and Mass on Saturday night, falling asleep during church with some help from Mom. He was awake and smiling when I went in to get him Sunday morning. He ended up falling asleep mid-way through opening presents. Next year will be much different. He'll acutally have an idea about what is going on next year.
After we opened presents at home, we headed to my in-law's for the day. When we got there, we realized that Owen had totally blown out his diaper. It was all over the place and *very* messy. He was not a happy camper while I was changing his outfit and diaper. The way he was screaming you would have thought I was doing something to really hurt him. It took a few minutes for him to calm down once he was changed and dressed in something clean and dry. Then he proceded to conk out for a little while.
He got loads of cool toys from various family members. Mom had fun putting them together last night. :-) He's a little young for them but we can start introducing them soon - he just won't be able to play with them on his own yet ( doesn't have the motor skills necessary).
He is in one of his most beautiful states right now - asleep in my arms. He looks like an angel. In about an hour he'll turn into Og the eating machine. (Og comes from his initials - O. G.)
After we opened presents at home, we headed to my in-law's for the day. When we got there, we realized that Owen had totally blown out his diaper. It was all over the place and *very* messy. He was not a happy camper while I was changing his outfit and diaper. The way he was screaming you would have thought I was doing something to really hurt him. It took a few minutes for him to calm down once he was changed and dressed in something clean and dry. Then he proceded to conk out for a little while.
He got loads of cool toys from various family members. Mom had fun putting them together last night. :-) He's a little young for them but we can start introducing them soon - he just won't be able to play with them on his own yet ( doesn't have the motor skills necessary).
He is in one of his most beautiful states right now - asleep in my arms. He looks like an angel. In about an hour he'll turn into Og the eating machine. (Og comes from his initials - O. G.)
12.22.2005
New Tricks
Owen has a couple of new tricks this week. He is now holding his head up at 90 degrees for several minutes. He also can roll over from his tummy to his back. He's done it twice now - once yesterday at group and once this morning. He was getting so close for quite a while and I was afraid I would miss seeing it because I was afraid it would happen once I went back to work. I'm so glad he did it while I was there! I almost cried I was so excited for him!
The other cool thing that happened at group yesterday was Owen's weigh-in. Last week he was about 10-3. Yesterday he was 11-0. That's 13 oz. of gained weight in a week. Yay Owen! (I've been nursing and then offering him a bottle of formula to suppliment.) He's really starting to look like his daddy now, too, since his face is starting to fill out a bit. I really noticed it just a little bit ago as I was putting him down for his morning nap.
The other cool thing that happened at group yesterday was Owen's weigh-in. Last week he was about 10-3. Yesterday he was 11-0. That's 13 oz. of gained weight in a week. Yay Owen! (I've been nursing and then offering him a bottle of formula to suppliment.) He's really starting to look like his daddy now, too, since his face is starting to fill out a bit. I really noticed it just a little bit ago as I was putting him down for his morning nap.
12.16.2005
An Expensive Week
So Owen is now two months old. We went to the pediatrician on Monday for his check-up (and four vaccines...poor Little Man!) and all is well. We are now supplimenting with formula after each feeding to help him gain weight. He is doing quite well otherwise. In the 95th percentile for height...24.5" long. He's already outgrowing his 0-3 month stuff, mostly because of his length, not his overall bulk.
Our sleep schedule has changed in the last week. Wednesday of last week, Owen slept through the night. He's been doing it ever since. The first week or so, he went to sleep between 9:00 and 10:00 and woke up between 5:00 and 6:00. That's a great chunk! The last two nights, however, he's improved a little bit. Going to sleep around 9:00 and waking up between 6:00 and 6:30. Way to go, Little Man! It's amazing how much better rested I am now that I don't have to get up for an hour in the middle of the night. I feel so much better. I don't know how long it's been since I've had an uninterrupted night's sleep. Since April or May, maybe?
Now for the explanation of the title of this post. Last Friday Max, the cat, started making horrid sounds (sounds I never knew a cat could make). We went to the emergency vet and found out that he couldn't urinate...there were crystals blocking the flow. $1500 and 3 days later, he came home and has been doing pretty well since. Getting his meds in him is a challenge, but we get it done twice a day. Glad that isn't for life, only through this weekend.
Tuesday was my birthday, Jeffy and I went out dancing to the place where we met 5-1/2 years ago. I hadn't been there since May of last year. It was nice to get back there. Also, due to a new state law, it's now smoke free! Yippee!!!! No more coming home with that horrible stench permiating from everywhere. We'll be going back a lot more now for various reasons. Owen came to dinner with us and then we dropped him off at Jeffy's brother's house. Free babysitting is good! :-)
We're finally getting the tree decorated today, since Jeffy is home today. I still have a few errands to run this morning, but we'll still have most of the day for decorating - and then getting the presents under the tree and off of the dining room table.
Our sleep schedule has changed in the last week. Wednesday of last week, Owen slept through the night. He's been doing it ever since. The first week or so, he went to sleep between 9:00 and 10:00 and woke up between 5:00 and 6:00. That's a great chunk! The last two nights, however, he's improved a little bit. Going to sleep around 9:00 and waking up between 6:00 and 6:30. Way to go, Little Man! It's amazing how much better rested I am now that I don't have to get up for an hour in the middle of the night. I feel so much better. I don't know how long it's been since I've had an uninterrupted night's sleep. Since April or May, maybe?
Now for the explanation of the title of this post. Last Friday Max, the cat, started making horrid sounds (sounds I never knew a cat could make). We went to the emergency vet and found out that he couldn't urinate...there were crystals blocking the flow. $1500 and 3 days later, he came home and has been doing pretty well since. Getting his meds in him is a challenge, but we get it done twice a day. Glad that isn't for life, only through this weekend.
Tuesday was my birthday, Jeffy and I went out dancing to the place where we met 5-1/2 years ago. I hadn't been there since May of last year. It was nice to get back there. Also, due to a new state law, it's now smoke free! Yippee!!!! No more coming home with that horrible stench permiating from everywhere. We'll be going back a lot more now for various reasons. Owen came to dinner with us and then we dropped him off at Jeffy's brother's house. Free babysitting is good! :-)
We're finally getting the tree decorated today, since Jeffy is home today. I still have a few errands to run this morning, but we'll still have most of the day for decorating - and then getting the presents under the tree and off of the dining room table.
12.07.2005
Eight Weeks Old
Owen certainly is growing so fast. Today he is 8 weeks old. He'll be two months old on Monday. He is starting to really smile at things (like my fingers walking up his chest, when I sing to him, when we play Pat-a-Cake, etc.) It's great. He's going from a 'blob' to a real little person. He is also becoming slightly mobile. Starting this last week, he's been moving around in his crib at night, ultimately facing a totally different direction than he started out facing. I'm just waiting for the morning when I go in and he's facing down instead of up - that will mean he's turned over instead of just spinning around.
Group has been good on Wednesdays. We are continuing to monitor Owen's weight. Two weeks ago he had gained 10 oz, last week 6, this week 1. I called my lactation consultant and she reassured me that if we average out his weight gain over the last three weeks that he is at the low end, but is doing ok. We go see the pediatrician on Monday for his two-month check and I'm planning on talking with her about it. His failure to gain any significant weight this last week is making me feel somewhat inadequate as a nursing mother. We've been struggling with this since the beginning so it's nothing new, but I was thinking that we had it figured out. Maybe this most recent week was just an off week. Speaking of nursing, guess who's hungry...again... At least he's going 6-8 hours at night. Good chunks of sleep for his parents!
Group has been good on Wednesdays. We are continuing to monitor Owen's weight. Two weeks ago he had gained 10 oz, last week 6, this week 1. I called my lactation consultant and she reassured me that if we average out his weight gain over the last three weeks that he is at the low end, but is doing ok. We go see the pediatrician on Monday for his two-month check and I'm planning on talking with her about it. His failure to gain any significant weight this last week is making me feel somewhat inadequate as a nursing mother. We've been struggling with this since the beginning so it's nothing new, but I was thinking that we had it figured out. Maybe this most recent week was just an off week. Speaking of nursing, guess who's hungry...again... At least he's going 6-8 hours at night. Good chunks of sleep for his parents!
11.29.2005
Pigging Out
This is for all parties involved here. Thanksgiving was great. There was lots of food, as usual. My sister and I had a great time together. It was also nice to see Jeffy's sister and brother-in-law from NY. I barely held Owen at all on Thanksgiving, pretty much just to feed him.
Speaking of feeding Owen, he's going through a growth spurt right now...which means he's eating every 90 minutes-two hours. Thank goodness for the nipple shield. It saves me quite a bit of pain right now. We have definately gotten the nursing thing figured out. At last week's group, Owen had gained (drumroll please) 10 ounces! He should be over 10 pounds by now. probably close to 10.5 pounds if the trend continues. I look at him, knowing that he's about the size right now that his daddy was when he was born and wonder how Jeffy's mom did it.
Owen is really starting to smile a lot. I've found that walking my fingers up his chest and then tapping his nose gets him to smile consistently. If I'm having a bad day and he smiles at me, it's so much better!
Tree season started on Thursday. Jeffy's family runs several Christmas tree lots. Jeff is in charge of one, his brother another, and some people from church the third. On Sunday, he called me and said, "Hi, Honey. Now I don't want you to worry but I'm at TG (a hospital)." Turns out he managed to cut his finger really good and deep with his knife as he was trying to jab it into some wood. The lock on the (jack)knife was either released or released on its own and the blade swung around and cut him. He had surgery last night to repair the tendon that he cut 60% of the way through.
We had our first date since Owen was born a week ago. We went to see Harry Potter, and left Owen with Jeffy's parents. It was tough leaving him, even though I knew he was in great hands. I nearly cried as we were driving toward the movie theatre. The good thing with nursing him is that for my own comfort, I can't be away from him for too long. Yesterday was the longest I've been away from him - 4 hours and boy could I tell!
Today it snowed! Not much, and it didn't stick around for too long, but hey, snow is snow!
Speaking of feeding Owen, he's going through a growth spurt right now...which means he's eating every 90 minutes-two hours. Thank goodness for the nipple shield. It saves me quite a bit of pain right now. We have definately gotten the nursing thing figured out. At last week's group, Owen had gained (drumroll please) 10 ounces! He should be over 10 pounds by now. probably close to 10.5 pounds if the trend continues. I look at him, knowing that he's about the size right now that his daddy was when he was born and wonder how Jeffy's mom did it.
Owen is really starting to smile a lot. I've found that walking my fingers up his chest and then tapping his nose gets him to smile consistently. If I'm having a bad day and he smiles at me, it's so much better!
Tree season started on Thursday. Jeffy's family runs several Christmas tree lots. Jeff is in charge of one, his brother another, and some people from church the third. On Sunday, he called me and said, "Hi, Honey. Now I don't want you to worry but I'm at TG (a hospital)." Turns out he managed to cut his finger really good and deep with his knife as he was trying to jab it into some wood. The lock on the (jack)knife was either released or released on its own and the blade swung around and cut him. He had surgery last night to repair the tendon that he cut 60% of the way through.
We had our first date since Owen was born a week ago. We went to see Harry Potter, and left Owen with Jeffy's parents. It was tough leaving him, even though I knew he was in great hands. I nearly cried as we were driving toward the movie theatre. The good thing with nursing him is that for my own comfort, I can't be away from him for too long. Yesterday was the longest I've been away from him - 4 hours and boy could I tell!
Today it snowed! Not much, and it didn't stick around for too long, but hey, snow is snow!
11.20.2005
A Month Old! (and a week)
Owen turned a month old a week ago. I can't believe he's getting close to six weeks old! The time really is flying. He has some new tricks - he's cooing and smiling on purpose now! He is also gaining weight, something that had been a problem for the first four weeks. Babies are supposed to regain their birth weight by the time they are 2 weeks old. He did it in four weeks. We went on an exhausting three-step regimen of breast feeding (30-40 minutes including burping time), bottle feeding either expressed breast milk formula to suppliment what he got at the breast (10 minutes), and finally pumping milk to increase my supply (15-20 minutes including set-up, and putting the milk in the fridge). If you've don the math, that's around an hour or more. Then we got to start the whole rigamaroll again in one to to hours. This was being done round the clock. The good news is that it worked. We started on a Wednesday evening following an appointment with lactation at the hospital (Owen weighed 8 lbs. 6 oz.) and by Friday noon, he had gained 7 oz.!!! Go Little Man!!!! He has steadily gained an ounce each day since then. Too bad it took us 5 weeks to get nursing really established.
One nice thing at the hospital is a free mommy/baby group that is run by a lactation nurse. We go each Wednesday morning and weigh Owen to see what he's gained from the previous week. It was at this group that we found out that he wasn't gaining enough weight. It's been great to get together with other new moms. After group, we go out to lunch. Last week they were going to go to Olive Garden, but I didn't have enough cash on me for that (nor did I have the check book and I don 't have a credit card) so they offered to go to Jack in the Box instead so I could come. We sort of took over an entire wall of the restaurant between the 7 of us, plus babies, and strollers. I'll be going to the group until I go back to work.
We had Owen's one month check up with his pediatrician last Monday. He grew 2.5 inches in his first month - he's up to 23" long now. (fromt he 50th percentile to the 90th in 4.5 weeks!) He dropped percentiles in weight, but that is under control and will change by the next appointment.
I go to my doctor on Wednesday for my six week check-up. I'm hoping that because nursing has JUST been established that my doctor will extend my need for leave through Christmas. If not, I'll have to go back the first full week in December. I'm not looking forward to that prospect. I'm not ready! I really don't want to interrupt the nursing right now. It's at too critical a point. I'll keep you all posted.
We took our first professional family pictures last Monday also. Owen was so good. He opened his eyes on the last picture, but was pretty much asleep for the rest of the pictures. After pictures were taken, we noticed that Santa was at the mall (and there was no line at all)so we had a picture taken with Santa. We got the package that had four pictures in it - all 3.5 x 5 - one for each of my parents, one for Jeffy's parents, and one for us. It's darling! I can't wait to see what Santa brings for Owen this year!
My sister comes out on Wednesday for Thanksgiving. She has yet to meet Owen. Jeffy's sister and brother-in-law are also coming out on Wednesday and they also have not yet met Owen. Needless to say, he will be spending most of the time Thursday with these two aunts and his uncle. I'll probably only get him back to feed him or put him in the back bedroom to sleep or chill out if he starts getting too overstimmed.
I'll try to post pictures this weekend from Thanksgiving and my sister's visit.
One nice thing at the hospital is a free mommy/baby group that is run by a lactation nurse. We go each Wednesday morning and weigh Owen to see what he's gained from the previous week. It was at this group that we found out that he wasn't gaining enough weight. It's been great to get together with other new moms. After group, we go out to lunch. Last week they were going to go to Olive Garden, but I didn't have enough cash on me for that (nor did I have the check book and I don 't have a credit card) so they offered to go to Jack in the Box instead so I could come. We sort of took over an entire wall of the restaurant between the 7 of us, plus babies, and strollers. I'll be going to the group until I go back to work.
We had Owen's one month check up with his pediatrician last Monday. He grew 2.5 inches in his first month - he's up to 23" long now. (fromt he 50th percentile to the 90th in 4.5 weeks!) He dropped percentiles in weight, but that is under control and will change by the next appointment.
I go to my doctor on Wednesday for my six week check-up. I'm hoping that because nursing has JUST been established that my doctor will extend my need for leave through Christmas. If not, I'll have to go back the first full week in December. I'm not looking forward to that prospect. I'm not ready! I really don't want to interrupt the nursing right now. It's at too critical a point. I'll keep you all posted.
We took our first professional family pictures last Monday also. Owen was so good. He opened his eyes on the last picture, but was pretty much asleep for the rest of the pictures. After pictures were taken, we noticed that Santa was at the mall (and there was no line at all)so we had a picture taken with Santa. We got the package that had four pictures in it - all 3.5 x 5 - one for each of my parents, one for Jeffy's parents, and one for us. It's darling! I can't wait to see what Santa brings for Owen this year!
My sister comes out on Wednesday for Thanksgiving. She has yet to meet Owen. Jeffy's sister and brother-in-law are also coming out on Wednesday and they also have not yet met Owen. Needless to say, he will be spending most of the time Thursday with these two aunts and his uncle. I'll probably only get him back to feed him or put him in the back bedroom to sleep or chill out if he starts getting too overstimmed.
I'll try to post pictures this weekend from Thanksgiving and my sister's visit.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
