1 month checkup

Owen had his one month checkup today with the pediatrician. He now weighs a whopping 10 lbs. and 6oz. That's almost a pound a week! This puts him in the 70th percentile (still not sure if I really understand what that means). He is only 22 inches long and in the 40th percentile. So basically our son is a shrimp.

During his checkup, I mentioned that his left eye was a little gunky. She checked him out and noticed that he had the beginning signs of an ear infection so she prescribed him an antibotic. She said this should clear up his eye as well. I discussed my concerns about his reflux, as he is still spitting up through his nose and I can hear the liquid coming back up almost every time after he feeds. She finally took me serious and has prescribed something to neutralize the acid. We're supposed to visit the doctor again in 2 weeks to see if the infection has cleared and the reflux is better. It'll have to be a new doctor as we'll already be in Nash Cty.

After we left the doctor, I attempted to go get his prescription filled. Attempted, you ask. Yes attempted. It turns out that Blue Cross and Blue Shield didn't inform their pharmacy division that Owen was added to Jeremy's insurance. Therefore when the pharmacy tried to contact the insurance they said Owen wasn't covered. Jeremy called to remedy the problem and hopefully tomorrow we'll be able to get his medicine. Gotta love insurance!

So this explains why Owen is having an issue with sleeping. He has an ear infection and reflux. Hopefully the medicine will help and he'll be back to his normal sweet self very soon.

FYI, I may be a little MIA from the blogging world for a while. We close on our house on Friday morning and will pack up the moving truck on Friday night. Saturday morning, we'll clean the apartment, turn in the keys, and say goodbye to seminary land. It is bittersweet as I have LOVED my time here, but I'm very ready to begin this new chapter of our lives. So until then... have a great week!

Another first

Yesterday Owen turned 4 weeks old! At 4 weeks, breastfed babies can be introduced to a bottle. Over the last few weeks, I have been trying to pump in between his feedings so that I would have a supply in the freezer. While I love that I am able to breastfeed, I do want the ability to be away from him more than 2-3 hours at a time.

Below is first experience with a bottle. Jeremy fed him and he did a great job! We did have to change bottles in the middle because he didn't seem to be getting a lot out of the first one. Overall, it went really well! While I will continue to breastfeed, it will be nice for Jeremy or the grandparents to feed him every once in a while.

One thing, on the other hand, is not going well...his sleeping pattern. His typical schedule used be: feed every 2-3 hours, stay awake for a little while, then nap afterwards. Lately his schedule has been out of whack. He doesn't want to go back to sleep after is 4/5 am feeding. So we get up and feed and then we go back to sleep on the couch with him in my arms until about 9. Then he eats again and then stays awake until lunch time. Because he is awake all morning, he has been sleeping most of the afternoon and then will have a wake period after dinner.

After his dinner feeding, we have been trying to put him in his crib to start his night sleep. He goes down fine at that time but that's where it ends. He'll eat again around 9 or 10 and it sometimes takes 45 mins. to get him back to sleep. He whimpers, squirms, and wants to suck on Jeremy's finger (he won't take a pacifier). He does the same thing at his 1 and 4 am feedings. Poor Jeremy tried to coax him back to sleep for almost 2 hours last night. He was not a happy camper!


Anybody have any suggestions on how to help him go down more easily? How can I start establishing a regular schedule as well ? Moms out there help me out.

Camera Fun

We were told we don't take enough pictures of Owen. We do take pictures; we just don't always post them. Also up until this week, he was sleeping the majority of the time. You can only see so many pictures of him sleeping, right?

One night last week, he was awake so we had some fun taking some pictures.

I love this last one. Owen is chillin' in the recliner with the remote. Jeremy is starting him early!

Everyone loves to hold Owen

The last two weekends we have hung out with our family and everyone loves to hold and love on Owen.

Poppa (Shannon's dad) got to finally hold Owen again. He was dignosed with shingles soon after Owen was born and the doctor told him he couldn't hold him until the last blister had been gone for a week. Last Saturday was the first day and Poppa could not get enough of him.

Great Uncle Mark's finger is so good!

Uncle BP and Owen snuggling on the couch.

The boy is getting spoiled. :)

Owen's First Play Date

Owen had his first play date today. Zeke and his mom Courtney came over to visit us yesterday for the first time. Zeke is about 7 weeks older than Owen and wow can you see a difference. Owen looked so tiny next to 14 lb Zeke.

Before the Sheltons left, the Graves came over. Byerly and her son Chesson joined the party and it was a full blown playdate. Chesson is about 5 weeks older than Owen. He too is a big boy and made Owen look so tiny.

We decided that it was a perfect opportunity for a photo op.

Left to right: Zeke, Owen, and Chesson. Poor Zeke is the 3rd wheel while Owen and Chesson are having a conversation.

Evidentally Owen didn't like what Chesson was saying.

Courtney, Byerly, and I laughed that we were the Toastidas commercial; it was more of a playdate for us than the boys. We had fun though!

Election 2008

Is anyone else tired of this election? Have you heard anything new since May? The whole thing has gotten old and I'm just ready for it to be over.

For me, it is over...I voted today! Because we are moving Nov. 1st, we won't have the time to change our address and voter registration in time for the election. Luckily Wake Cty as one stop early voting. So today we went to the mall for me to get a haircut and ended our day in a short line to get our ballot. The whole thing took us about 10 mins and was quick and painless. It was so much easier than fighting the lines on Nov. 4th.

I have to say that I should have done more research on the local races; there were many names I never heard of. One name I did recognize, which was fun, was my aunt's. My Aunt Jennifer has been a district court judge here in Wake Cty for the last 8 years and she is up for re-election this year. Luckily she is running uncontested but it was still fun to see her name on the ballot. So if you're a Wake Cty citizen vote for Jennifer Miller Green.

Update on the Foot

Thursday I had an appointment at the podiatrist to check the progress of my foot. When the doctor took the bandages off, my foot was normal size for the first time in a month. It looked so skinny! He pressed around on my foot and there was no pain! The doctor said he was pleased with the progress and I only needed to wear the boot for one more week. After that I can wear a tennis shoe for 2 weeks. At the end of the 2 weeks, I will go back to see him again and he will do an x-ray to make sure it has completely healed.

After the exam, his assistant wrapped my foot back up, but this time leaving off the gauze. Because she didn't have to use the gauze again, I am allowed to take the bandage off every day and take a shower. You don't realize how wonderful this! It has been a chore to get clean all week. I've been taking a bath hanging my foot out of the tub while washing my hair under the faucet. I never felt truly clean all week.

I'm excited that I only have to wear the boot for one more week rather than the 2 I was originally told. This will allow me more mobility the last week before we move. Speaking of moving, we have begun the packing process. Welcome to the world of boxes! :)

Week #3

Owen is now 2 weeks old! We went to the pediatrician on Monday morning for his checkup and the doctor said he was perfect! (But we already knew that!) He is now weighing in at 8 lbs. 14 oz.! He gained 10 oz in a week! He has gotten a half inch taller and his head has gotten 1 1/2 cm bigger.

I asked the doctor about the reflux and again he didn't seemed concerned. Probably b/c Owen had gained so much weight. He said he was doing great and he wouldn't change anything about him. We'll go back to this doctor one more time for his 1 month checkup before we move.

He also had his first major blowout today and had to have all new clothes. In the process of cleaning him up, he peed on himself, shooting himself in the face. He also then peed all over the nurse and the scale while getting weighed. :) I think he's getting enough milk, don't you?

Also this is our first week at home all by ourselves. We were very blessed to have both grandmothers come stay with us for a week at a time. They were a tremendous help and I was nervous about them leaving...I even cried when they left. We are doing well on our own though. I am a little restricted as to what I can do with this lovely black boot on, but we've learned to bring everything downstairs in the morning. I really need to be packing but not really sure where to start.

Speaking of moving, we are two weeks away! Our walk through is set for 9 am following by closing at 10 on Oct. 31st! We are planning to pack up the truck Friday (31st) and Saturday (1st) if you are able to help. Just leave a comment or send me an email. We could use all the help we could get!

It was hard work...

cheering on the Tarheels today. In the end, they pulled out a victory over Notre Dame but all of us were tired when it was over. I mean poor little Owen was exhausted! But wasn't he cute in his Carolina apparel?

Really what else could go wrong...

Remember that foot pain and swelling I was having? Well I made an appointment with the podiatrist today to have it checked it out. The OB thought it was an inflammed nerve and could easily be fixed with a steroid shot. Boy was he wrong!!

Today after lots of pressing on my foot and an x-ray, it has been determined that I actually BROKE my foot! There is a small break/fracture in my 2nd metatarsals (middle toe bone in the foot) that has been misdignosed for the last 2-3 weeks.

Now my left foot has been wrapped and placed in a lovely black boot for the next 3 weeks. I am to wear it like a regular cast, only taking it off to sleep, for the next 3 weeks. I even have to shower with my foot out of the shower.

All of this with having a newborn. PTL, my mother-in-law is here until Thursday but the next 2 weeks may be a little more difficult. We also need to start packing as our move-in date is 3 weeks away too.

So if anyone isn't busy and wants to come hang out and help, please feel free. :)

All of our ailments

Owen is one week old now! What an eventful week it was!

Friday we went to the pediatrician as scheduled and Owen had gained weight! He is now at 7 lbs. 13 oz. (not quite back up to his birth weight). She said he was still looking rather jaundice so she wanted to have his billy levels checked again. They are unable to do that kind of testing in the office so we were sent to Wake Med North. It is so sad to hear his little cry as they prick his heels and push the blood out. The doctor called us back an hour later and told us his level had increased since leaving the hospital and he needed to lay under ultraviolet lights. She arranged for a billy light to be delivered to our house at a lovely $80 a day. This light wrapped around his midsection while he laid around in just a diaper. The light made him look like a glowworm. :)

We had to return to the doctor on Sat. morning for yet another check. She sent us back to the hospital for another blood test. She warned us that if the level had gone up again, we may have to return to the hospital. I was so upset and prayed that they had gone down. Luckily the results were favorable, and his levels had decreased. She told us to continue the light until Monday morning until we returned for a followup. So Sat. was spent with him hooked to this machine. Uncle BP came for a visit then he and Jeremy went to the UNC/UConn game football game. Mom and I had some girl time and watched 2 chick flicks!

Sunday Mom and BP left us and Jeremy's parents arrived. Jeremy's mom is here with me this week and it's been such a blessing to have our moms help me out. I don't know what I would have done.

So now we're up to Monday...we return to the pediatrician and Owen has gained 4 oz and is now 8 lbs. 1 oz. Breastfeeding is working!! She sent us back for another blood test and said that she suspected that he would come off the light today because he was looking great. Finally at 5:30 we found out his billy level is down and he can come off the light!! Yay! He can actually wear clothes now!

In other news, my left foot continues to remain swollen. About a week and half before I delivered I got a pain in my left foot and it began to swell. When I asked the doctor, she put it off as pregnancy swelling and never really listened to me. It continued to hurt me after I delivered so I asked another doctor about it and he said it was postpartum swelling. Now a week after delivering, my swelling has subsided in all other parts of my body ex. my foot. I finally called today and asked to be seen. I saw a new doctor and he took me seriously. Sadly though he is an OB and told me what he thought it might be but that I would need to see a podiatrist. He said he thought it was neuroma, where you have a swollen nerve in your foot. It can be caused by wearing shoes that are too tight. I distinctly remember wearing some tennis shoes a couple Fridays ago and it feeling funny afterwards. So I guess tomorrow I'll look for a podiatrist.

Also while I was there, I mentioned that I had a cold for the last 2 weeks that I couldn't seem to kick. He looked in my ears and thinks I am in the beginning stages of an ear infection and has now put me on an antibotic.

Could we have any more excitement in our lives right now? :) In other random fun news, I lost 23 lbs. in one week! Isn't that crazy! Ok off to feed my little man. Sorry for the extremely long post. Hopefully it will tide you over for a while. :)

We're Home!!

Dr. Kocis came to check out Owen around 8:45 this morning and said that she could see no reason for him to remain in the hospital. His cultures came back negative and he was doing fine. We were so excited!! We immediately packed up and waited for our discharge papers. Owen's outfit had been picked out by his Nana so we changed him into his cute Carolina blue outfit and put him in the car seat.


We arrived home around 11:00 am and was greeted with screamers, balloons, and chalk messages from our sweet neighbor Alyson.

We've had a great day! Owen has slept and ate. Thank you to all of those who sent encouraging words about breastfeeding. To let you know, things are going very well. The lactation specialist worked with us twice yesterday at the hospital and Owen is now feeding consistently with little assistance from Jeremy and I. My milk supply has definitely come in now and we're hoping that he is getting what he needs. He is down from his original birth weight but that is normal.

We'll be visiting the pediatrician tomorrow morning in their office to check his billirubin (I never spell that word correctly!) levels and check him out. Thank you for your prayers and well wishes. They have meant so much in this difficult time. Please come by and visit us; we'll be here!

The latest..

Tuesday afternoon we were told that Owen was doing great and really the only reason he was in the special care nursery was because he had to finish his antibotic and finish one last round of blood test. We told them that I was being discharged and the neonatal doctor had the suggestion that we could move over to the pediatrics floor in the hospital for him to finish his antibotics over night and be monitor. We were extremely grateful as this would allow us to stay with him here at the hospital over night.

Around 3:30 I was discharged and we wheeled with the nurses over to the pediatrics floor where we continue to sit. Last night we hung out with Owen, which was wonderful and really just enjoyed being with him. My parents (Shannon) and aunt and uncle came to visit. This floor is definitely not as nice as where we were before and we miss the personal service we received. Our nurses were nice but I haven't been too pleased with their advice. Most moms know that your milk supply doesn't come in for a while and usually baby is fine with that. Well up here they don't like that and wanted me to supplement with formula. I am a big advocate of breastfeeding and was not wanting to supplement. They kept at it and kept telling me that if I wanted to get out of here I needed to do everything I could for him. I felt like a horrible mother and gave in.

Last night went well. Jeremy and I are getting used to getting up and feeding him. He didn't do well with breastfeeding so we had to supplement. We didn't sleep too much but surprisingly I'm holding up well.

We really thought we were going home this morning after he finished the antibotics, did his hearing screening, and was circumsized. Well the doctors had other plans. They don't like that he isn't feeding well. Also is burilian levels were elevated as well as his white blood cell count. So we were told to stay again today. Poor little guy has been proded, poked, and tramatized more than anyone ever should have to be. He also had 2 visits from the lactation specialists who is trying to teach him how to feed.

We are "told" that we will go home tomorrow. The peditrician will make rounds in the morning and hopefully we will be discharged after that. I really can't imagine what else they can do to him. Pray that we will go home tomorrow and he and I would get the hang of breastfeeding so he can raise his burilian levels. We really cannot wait to get out of here!