Family Photo

Here is a copy of the family collage that we bought to hang up in our room. We loved the pictures that we each took with the kids, so this is what we created.

Jaxson turns 2

Last weekend Jaxson turned 2. Jaxson has been Loryn's best friend since he was born. Loryn, Jaxson and Liam remind us of the 3 main characters in the movie "Keeping the Faith". When we get together, these three are in separable. Sunday we went over to celebrate Jaxson's birthday. Loryn and Liam helped Jaxson open up his presents. It was so cute to see them all interacting and trying to help open presents. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the day.

The kids wearing their curious george sunglasses.
Yummy Yummy Cake

Ethan with his Godparents

1 Month Check-up and 6 weeks Postpartum

This past week we had Ethan's 1 month check-up and vaccine and my 6 week postpartum appointments.

Ethan went on the 11th for his 1 month visit. This was a bit late (more like 1.5 month check up), but we had to make sure that is was no less than 1 month since he had his first Hep B vaccine and we then had to get him into the pediatrician before the doctor went on vacation for 2 weeks. Ethan's check up went well. He is now weighing 9 lbs 10 oz (up 2 oz in a week), he is 22 1/2 in long and head circumference is 14.96 in. This puts him in the 30th percentile for weight, 68th percentile for height and 31st percentile for head circumference.

Ethan is growing so fast and doing really well. He still is having a lot of issues with the excess gas and not being able to get it out. The formula change seemed to have helped a little bit, but the doctor still has us giving him 1 oz of plain yogurt a day (something about the probiotics helping with the gas). Not really sure how this all works since he has lactose issues, but if it will help make him more comfortable, we are willing to try it. He did great with having to get his 2nd Hep B vaccine. Poor kid did cry, but had no reaction to the shot. His next visit is the first week in June, and poor little guy has to get 5 vaccines. I am thinking we won't have a happy camper that day.

My 6 week appointment was a bit chaotic. I have learned going anywhere on your own with 2 kids is tough, a doctor's office is no different. This is amplified by the fact that the OB/GYN office is not really all that kid friendly and both kids had to stay in the stroller. My appointment went pretty well, I am healing nicely and besides the stress and no sleep, all is good. I still need to lose weight/inches but that will happen in time. I am down between 23 and 27 pounds depending on the day. Which means I still have about 10 pounds at most to get to my pre pregnancy weight ( I gained a few pounds since Ethan came home-as I sometimes eat what is convenient and not always the most healthy option).

I was given clearance to go back to the gym. Which is great for my plan to lose weight. Also, have to be skinny enough to get into my bridesmaids dress. Only 2 months to go until Jen's wedding and I want to look good in the dress, because right now, it is a bit tight. Also at my visit, I had to get a vaccine of my own. Definitely had to put on a brave face for the kids for this one, as this shot was terrible. Since whooping cough is on the rise and there are studies showing that women who had the vaccine as a kid are no longer protected by the vaccine, I had to get the pertussis vaccine again. The vaccine burned so bad. Other than that, I had no issues until several hours later my arm started hurting and is still very sore to the touch 2 days later. Ethan received his "I was delivered by..." shirt. So happy to have these for both our kids so we have a memento of who delivered them. (Loryn's is pink and says Dr. Barrero and Ethan's is a blue shirt that says Dr. Polender.)

Before I can return to work, I have to get my return to work release form signed by the doctor. Just waiting for them to sign it and then I have to fax it in about a week before I return. I am scheduled to be back to work the Friday before Memorial day (way too soon), however I will not be working in the office full time until September 1st.

Loryn is doing well. She is still adjusting to being the big sister and not the only child. She definitely loves her little brother, even though she isn't always the most gentle with him. She just loves to hold him and to do everything mommy does. She is growing so fast, repeating everything and getting into sooooo much trouble.

Baby Naming

Today was Ethan's baby naming and Mother's Day.

Due to Ethan being in the NICU for so long and his health issues at birth, we had decided it was in his best interest to have him circumcised at the hospital instead of having a bris at home. Eric was able to say the blessings before and after the circumcision and today we had Rabbi Sack of Rodeph Sholom come to our house to do the naming portion of the ceremony.

Ethan's Hebrew name is Simcha which means joy. He has been named after my grandfather Sidney. Just like my grandfather, I know Ethan will bring lots of joy to this world.

Eric's mom, step-dad, brother, sister-in-law, nephew and the Godfather came for this wonderful event. It was so great to have everyone come to this wonderful event and to celebrate mother's day.

Here are some great pictures from today.

Professional Pictures - Take 1

Yesterday, I took Loryn and Ethan to get professional pictures done. Considering everything, they both did pretty well.

Here is a link to the pictures if you would like to see them or if you are interested in purchasing some pictures.

http://www.myonlineportraits.com/ViewSharedAlbum.aspx?ShareID=5050d457-a3ea-4dab-8f3c-deaa65f5c4af

Here is a code for a free 10x13 if you are interested. FREE10
All you would have to pay for is the shipping (which if this is all you are getting, would be $3.99).

We purchased wallet pictures for our parents and then we purchased a 10x30 mounted "faces" portrait of the 2 kids.

We will be doing more pictures of Ethan in the next week and then family pictures either in July or October.

Cranky

Since Ethan has been born, he has been such a calm and quiet kid. Only fussing when he is wet or hungry. The last few days have been a whole different experience. Starting on Sunday, Ethan started spitting up and not just spitting up, but projectile spitting up. And he started to get increasingly cranky and fussy.

Needless to say, since Sunday I haven't slept more than 4 hours in a night, and that is usually split up into a maximum of 2 hours at a time.

Last night, I started to think that maybe Ethan was just colicky. His longest time of fussing was yesterday which started at 1pm and didn't end until 1am. I had decided after reading online, that I should schedule an appointment in case it is something else. So, this morning I called the pediatrician's office at 7:30 and scheduled Ethan for an appointment at 9:20am.

We got to the doctor's office at 8:40am as I was hoping to see the doctor earlier than our scheduled appointment time since I had a doctor's appointment following Ethan's and didn't want to be late. We ended up being seen at 8:50am and out of the office by 9:10am.

Here is what we found out:

All the worrying about Ethan not being able to leave the NICU due to his lack of appetite seems so silly now, as he has now almost gained 50% of his birth weight. Since he was first seen in the doctor's office on 4/13 weighing 6lb 15 oz and height at 20.5 in. Now on 5/4 he is weighing 9lb 6 oz and height is 22 in.

In comparing his birth weight and height (6lb 11 oz and 19 3/4in). This put Ethan in the 50th percentile for height and between 10 and 25th percentile for weight. Now at just a few days older than 1 month, Ethan is between 25 and 50th percentile for height and still in the 10 to 25th percentile for weight.

Now to address the issues that we were there for:

Ethan is having issues processing his formula. The doctor believes that he may have colic. We will try a few things the doctor had recommended to see if it will make things better for Ethan (and us). The doctor also believes that Ethan is lactose intolerant. What this means, is that we will now be switching his formula and hoping this will help to make Ethan feel better. He hasn't had a rash at all, but he is currently very gassy and he isn't able to deal with all the excess gas. This in turn has been making him cranky (which is completely understandable).

Ethan is back at the doctor next week for his 1 month check up and vaccines. So we will see how the new formula does and if we need to do anything else.

Ethan is 1 month old

Today is Ethan's 1 month birthday. Can't believe my little man is already 1 month old. We can't wait for him to be sleeping through the night (praying it is sooner rather than later).

Ethan is up to eating 4 ounce bottles every 3 hours or so. At night he sometimes will go up to 3.5 hours in between feedings. Still in newborn diapers and just outgrew his preemie outfits. His newborn onsies and clothes have been so big on him.

We will find out his weight and height at his next doctor's visit as well as get some more immunizations.

Thank you Lily Ross for sending Ethan the awesome sports t-stickers to mark each month. Hope everyone enjoys some pictures of Ethan at 1 month old.