9 Weeks

Long day at Jazzfest and you're out!

Oh Freddie, what a week it has been. You are pooped each and every day with Jazzfest and visitors. You've been smiling and cooing up a storm for everyone who looks your way.


You're keeping up your 7 hour sleep stretches which pleases your mama immensely, even with all the stimulation.

You're getting heavy. I better start lifting weights because I know this is just the beginning. You've got the double chin going on and the rolls in your thighs are coming in which I love, love, love.

Promise to update with our busy week soon. We're all pretty tired on Bordeaux Street this week, and loving that you're with us on every beat.

Snuggles

Charlie took this photo, his favorite because neither of us is squawking, with his phone this morning. Bug has three consecutive nights of 7 hour sleeps. After the 7 hours, he eats and then we snuggle, and both drift back to sleep for a few hours.

Life is good.

2 Month Well Visit

Freddie's stats:

Weight: 8 lbs 4 oz. (25th percentile)
Head circumference: 40.75 cm (75th percentile)
Length: 22.25 inches (25th percentile)

Vaccinations:

• DTaP/DTP/Td
• OPV/IPV
• Hib
• Heb B (2nd dose)
• Rhoavirus
• PCV

He got 3 shots and one oral liquid and screamed! Poor guy. Vaccinations, specifically the one for whooping cough I believe, will likely cause fever which we'll treat with Tylenol. Dr. J also said to watch for fever lasting more than 3 days or seizures which do happen and would warrant withholding the follow up doses. Oh my. Please none of that.

He performed well... "talking" up a storm, smiling, gazing, lifting his head. He worked it and got a A+ on health and development thus far. I was surprised he managed to pull up that big head just at the right time.

She gave him the thumbs up on weight gain and told me his sleeping 7 hours a night a skipping some feedings is exactly what he should be doing right now. He's following his growth curve and getting enough nutrition despite my worry that he isn't gaining in leaps and bounds like some other babies I see and read about.

She said the CT scan showed a perfectly normal skull and she is even thinking it may be rounding out a tad. She will continue to check for abnormal sutures.

His preference for gazing to the right is normal and she had no concerns there and just advised to keep up the stimulation of his left side.

Back in 2 months.

Freddie's First Jazzfest!

Freddie's first Jazzfest has been a success so far. We made it each day this first weekend, and enjoyed every minute.


Of course there was lots of stuff to be hauled in, which isn't atypical for a day with Charlie, but with Freddie, we seemed to have even more to bring.


The jog stroller made a nice spot for him to nap and it was also perfect for strapping all of our gear to. Charlie says when Freddie's grown he'll get a stuffed baby, whose head unscrews and vodka pours out of, so he can still get by with using the stroller.


There were few tears and he napped quite a bit. He took complete advantage of being held all day long.


And loved every minute of it.


And so did we.



I am pretty positive he was the youngest Jazzfester this weekend.


He got lots of attention from everyone. People marveled at all of our stuff and at our enjoying the festival with an infant.


Charlie still managed to consume his fair share of Jazzfest treats, but I think his Southern Comfort spike snoballs were kept to a minimum.


Freddie had lots of visitors who kept him entertained.


He was so pooped from the excitement he slept for 6 hours Friday night and then 7 hours on Saturday night. We're waiting to see what tonight will bring.


I think he's a Jazzfest fan already.

That's our boy!

8 weeks

Wow, I can hardly believe it's been 2 months!
At 8 weeks...

You have so much new hair! Your hair is filling in all over the top of your head. It looks a reddish brown to me, and I am anxious for you to get some more.


You've spit up more in the last week than you have in the previous 7 weeks combined. It isn't often, maybe once per day, but I hope it's not a new trend.


You're still a gassy fella. At night you're still wiggling around and pulling those legs up to help pass gas, and this week you've discovered the art of grunting. So now I lie in bed listening to Charlie and the dogs snore and my Bug next to me wiggling and grunting and finally pooting.


You are sleeping so well at night, going down between 8 or 9 o'clock, waking between 2 and 3 o'clock and getting us up to start the day between 5 and 6 o'clock. We are getting closer to 6 hour stretches at night. I get nervous when you're not squeaking for food, but I guess you're just growing up! I suppose now that I've written this you'll sock it to me with one of your waking every two hours to feed nights.


I have figured out naps! This week I figured out your "needing a nap" cues, which include heavy eyes and your fist jammed in your mouth. Sometimes I'll put you down in the co-sleeper just as you're about to drift off, eyes open, and you do just fine and get a good nap. Other times you would really rather I held you until you've fallen asleep. Either way, I am pretty proud of myself when I get you down and I walk away with the baby monitor in my hand. I am not sure why that tickles me so much. I suppose it means I am free to get some things done, but really I am just in the room looking at you every 10-15 minutes anyway.


"I love this kid!" is the phrase most often heard on Bordeaux Street.

Mother's Advice

Freddie, when you are on the swim team, opt for the swim cap rather than the shaved head. Chances are a shaven head won't be very becoming.

Dr. J called. The radiologist read the CT scan as "normal." She's going to have Dr. B go over the report as well, but she doesn't think we have anything to worry over. We've just got a big headed boy.

He may look like his mama, but he's got his daddy's head.

Freddie's Mama

• I am slowly adjusting into my new role, although I am still trying to figure out how to add gardener, baker, and organized super woman along with my new role.

• I've seen a 135 on the scale but the most consistent number is 137. I don't weight 3-5 times a day like I used to (simply no time!) but I do get off and on a few times at my daily weigh in. Anyway, that puts me within 5 pounds of my prepregnancy weight, yet not a stitch of prepregnancy clothing is anywhere near fitting, particularly the bottoms. What's with that?

• My garden is not blooming quite right. I haven't been out there in some time and I am missing the digging and trimming and sun quite a bit. Hoping this "it gets easier" means some time in the garden for Bug and me.
  

• Looking for a perfect pair of simple earrings to wear all the time. Can't seem to remember to put them on before I leave the house, along with making sure both eyes have mascara.

• My days seem empty and full all at the same time. 6:00 rolls around and Charlie is walking in the door and I think, "That time already? I haven't done anything but I've been busy all day."

• This update being bullets seems to work out just like the rest of my life right now....everything seems to happen in bursts. Showers occur in minutes and lunch is chew, chew, swallow, repeat. Sometimes the repeat part happens 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or even an hour after the start. I'm working towards some fluidity and a routine.
  

Am I crazy?

Don't answer that.

Worried that Bug favors the right. He only likes to look to the right. It's something I've noticed for a few weeks and with his head concerns (which I hope will no longer be concerns after next week) I've had a heightened awareness of it.

He does occasionally look to the left, but only for a bit. He always places his left cheek on my chest and even when I manipulate it so he puts the right down, he quickly changes position. Same during tummy time and even in the bjorn carrier he'll only face the right.

I've been putting him on my right shoulder to encourage him to look left, standing strategically near his favorite things to look at, placing him in the bassinet so his head faces left, and physically moving his head to the left.

I hope I am crazy, but just needing to document things here. Makes me wonder about his vision and his head and his muscles.

Lovin'

• Jazzfest hats for three on the banister
• Cloth diapering
• Walks with Bug in the Bjorn
• Snuggling
• Ceiling fans
• Online shopping
• Tiny hands in my hand
• 5 hours in a row
• Smiles
• A babe, fresh from the bath
  

CT Scan

I had thought I'd wait to hear from the doctor before putting up this post, but decided to get it up here just to let everyone know Freddie, et al survived the wee morning hours without nursing and anesthesia at the hospital. The nurse said she wasn't seeing the report in the system yet so I bet we won't hear anything until next week.

Freddie nursed at 11:30 pm, the last until after the CT scan. When he gave his cry to be fed at 3:00 am, Charlie got up with him and came downstairs with him. Freddie happily sucked down 2-3 ounces of apple pedialyte and then dozed and fussed. He was not nearly as fussy as I had anticipated, but I still felt like a mean ole mama holding him and not feeding him.



I, of course, was on edge for the drive to the hospital and I had a little pang in my chest with each little whimper he let out. Poor little Bug. Being hungry stinks. He still managed some smiles for me, probably to let me know he was hanging in there and I needed to shape up.

We checked into pre-op at 6am and thankfully they promptly took him back at 7am, the first scan of the day. He was given some gas to sedate him and then a tiny IV. We were back with him in recovery by 8 o'clock and he was able to eat.


He was drowsy for the first half of the day, but quickly returned to himself after a long nap. The whole ordeal was more traumatic for me than it was for him, I'm sure. I suppose it was good to go ahead and get me broken in on all this mama heartbreak, guilt stuff I hear so much about!

Now we wait to hear fro Dr. J.

7 Weeks

Still in bandage from IV

You are so big, Freddie! I think your body is catching up with your head.

The head of concern

That smile is going to get you places on Bordeaux Street. You are a charmer.


You want that bandage off so you can suck on that right fist.

Can you see the snap pulling on my pants?
Can you believe I am outgrowing a few outfits?

I think you are absolutely the cutest thing that ever lived. Even when you're breaking out into a sweat from screaming so much!

Dairy Free Living

Today marks three weeks that I've been without dairy in the hopes of ridding Bug of his demon!

Some changes I've noticed in him:

• Rash on his face cleared a over week ago.
• The inflamed red heiny is gone.
• Less fussing during the day.
• Stools now look seedy and yellow again, with an occasional green for good measure.
• Oozy eyes have cleared.

Of course he is now a mature 7 weeks old, so it could just be the natural progression of things for Bug. He also remains ultra gassy and has obvious discomfort from this, particularly in the evening, but we may just make Freddie a belly or side sleeper to help him pass gas efficiently. Mylicon drops and gripe water have nothing on this gas. The boy just has to work it out on his own. It makes for a restless few hours in his co sleeper, but overall he manages ok.

What have I been eating:

• Peanut butter and jelly on crackers (read label of crackers!)
• Soy Dream
• Salads with chicken and vinaigrette type dressing
• Clif bars
• Turkey on pita
• Chinese food with rice
• Potatoes
• Avocados
  
• Iced coffee with soy milk
  

That's really about it... I am too lazy to cook other non dairy options and just tend to stuff something easy in my mouth.

Dr. J thought now would be a good time to challenge Freddie's system with my having some dairy to confirm or rule out the dairy allergy. And conveniently I've really had a hankering for a California burrito, no meat, swimming in sour cream and guacamole, from Taqueria Corona. But something tells me to go easy on the dairy when testing it out, not so much for Freddie's sake but my own.

I'm not certain if or when I'll test it, but with Jazzfest on the horizon, something tells me I better do a little investigating real soon so I know where I stand when deciding on a food line.

Head Check

At 6 weeks, 5 days

Freddie's Stats:

Weight: 9 lbs 6 ounces
Length 20.5 inches (why does this vary so much?)
Head Circumference: 40 centimeters

Dr. J didn't go through percentiles for his measurements during the visit but from what I read on the chart, it looks like he's around or about in the 75th percentile for each of his measurements. Regardless, Dr. J still thinks the CT scan scheduled for Thursday is necessary because of the shape of his head more than anything. She did say she didn't feel any abnormal sutures and the symmetry of his face leads her to believe there are no problems with the front plates.

She and Dr. B will review the results of the CT scan and call us that afternoon or the next morning, depending on when they are able to get the results. She doesn't want me to have to wait any length of time, which I appreciate.

So Wednesday night, no nursing after midnight, and no clear liquids after 4am on Thursday morning. That will be an interesting 6 hours on Bordeaux Street. I imagine they'll take us promptly at 6am when we walk into the hospital with a screaming Freddie.

We're praying Bug's just an egg head.

Easter Bunny Surprises

It's Easter and the Bunny came to Bordeaux Street today and left a mound of treats for Freddie and Charlie.

Didn't find a basket that I liked for Freddie so there are no baby in the Easter basket photos like I had planned. But even better are photos of Freddie and his new mobile!


It is currently attached to the cosleeper, but maybe I should put it on the crib. I suppose that would be a good way of getting him to spend some time in the crib, and the mobile seems ever so distracting on the cosleeper.

The kid LOVES this mobile.


Amazing what some black and white picture cards can do.

Thinking the other two surprises won't top this one.


Best $20 I've spent yet on Freddie.

Crescent City Classic 2009, Freddie's First!

Is this our first family portrait???

The family walked in "The Classic" today, Freddie's first 10K. We finished in just about 2 hours. Not bad considering we had the stroller and were stuck in the back with the grandmas and heavy beer drinkers.


The weather was beautiful and the crowd festive. I love how excited everyone is for the race, some looking forward to the run and most wanting to share a beer and catch up with friends.

Lee and Angie joined us for the walk and came by later to boil some crawfish.


Freddie spent most of the course in the stroller and even got a bottle en route.

Perfect way for our little family to spend Holy Saturday in NOLA.

Blooper

I have been wanting to capture Bug's early morning stretch sessions, my absolute favorite thing he does. In an attempt to get that on video and share, I took my Flip camera to bed.
Around 4:30 am after he had eaten I thought I'd release him from his straight jacket swaddler and see if he'd get to stretching.

And this is what I got...



Be sure your sound is up. This video has not been doctored or edited!

Yes, those were both Freddie farts!

Note: I am laughing still, after having watched this video at least ten times. Certainly my finding this so unbelievably funny is what had me destined to be an elementary school teacher.

I couldn't capture the stretch session in full force because I had to hop right up, or rouse Charlie out of bed really, to change that diaper.

Poor little bug doesn't have any stealth poops. Each and every bowel movement is announced to the entire house and wakes everyone up from sleep. He didn't react for this one, but sometimes those poots startle both him and I.

He's a gassey guy, that little Bug.

6 weeks

Milk drunk and sleepy

Freddie, all 8 pounds (fingers crossed for almost 10 pounds) of you have taken over Bordeaux Street. You are everywhere. The dining room table is a changing station, my breast pump is on the breakfast table, the counter is littered with bottles, your swing is next to the chair, your "gym" is in the middle of the living room, my nightstand drawers are filled with your nighttime stuff...I could go on.


Thinking of when I found out you were with us, being pregnant 6 weeks, having you in our arms seemed so far away. Funny how it feels you've been here forever now.

Some of what's going on at 6 weeks:

Nighttime Sleep: You're sleeping in your bassinet without the carseat! And you're getting into a pattern of 5 hour stretches. There is always at least 4 back to back hours, which I really appreciate. After the initial stretch, the next few stretches are nearly 3 hours each. Unfortunately the last stretch is tricky because your gas gets in the way of a deep sleep, so you join us in bed to sleep on your belly on my chest or next to me on your side. This gets you sleeping, but it doesn't get me much sleep.

Cuddling with Papi

Naps: We've run into a problem here. You are not napping. I think my dragging you all around town got you out of a napping routine. You don't sleep in your swing anymore. And on walks there is too much to look at. You peer over the top of the Bjorn carrier to check things out. You even choose to check out the bathroom window while sitting in your Bjorn babysitter rather than nap while I shower. I am not sure what to do, but this makes for a really cranky baby by 5 pm. It is also difficult to get you to wind down for bed.

Waiting for Mama to finish showering

Temperament: You are so much easier than you were a few weeks ago. Even though you are a crank without naps, it is a different sort of cranky than what we had a few weeks ago. There aren't hour long stretches of blood curdling screaming....you sound more like a pitiful little minnie cat (so says Danny). You are engaging us with your smiles and coos, and locking eyes.

Loving that weekly visit with Papi

Health: You're looking good. That rash on your face has cleared and that eye has stopped oozing. I can tell you are growing and gaining. Your nails still need trimming and now they're dirty underneath. How am I to get those itty bitty nails cleaned?

Saying goodbye to your cousin Ian
in the parking lot after lunch

And something amazing to me: I bought toys for my son this week! Surreal. Of course we've bought all of this stuff in preparation for our baby, but I bought toys considering you...what you're doing and what I think you would like. You're always checking things out, so I found a few things to stimulate you. I shopped online and ordered toys for the Easter bunny to leave. Crazy to be shopping for toys for you.

Cloth Diapering 101

We've started cloth diapering on Bordeaux, and I couldn't be happier thus far. We are using them around the house during the day and on short jaunts. We haven't entered into the world of nighttime use because he's still a little small for them and I am not yet prepared for leaking poop. We are still using disposable wipes, but next week I will add the cloth "wipes" (washcloths) to the mix.


We have 24 or so bumGenius 3.0 all in one cloth diapers, in lots of colors...white, orange, two shades of blue, two shades of green, and yellow. They look just like a disposable diaper, with a pocket.



Into the pocket I slip an absorbent pad. We have some that are thicker for night time use. As he gets older we'll still be able to use the same diapers because they'll "grow" with him, but we'll need pads of greater absorbency.


Once the pad goes in, they get velcoed onto his little bottom. This makes for a super cute bum, and I like seeing the diaper peaking out from under his clothes.


Dirty diapers are tossed into a trash pail with a "wet bag" liner. We have travel wet bags for our diaper bags as well. I do no remove the padding that's been stuffed inside the diaper. It comes out in the wash on it's own.


Every other day I toss the bag and the dirty diapers into the wash. I do a warm water wash with a little detergent....1/4 usual amount of detergent is recommended. And then into the dryer they go. With the summer months approaching I am thinking some outside drying may be called for. Although we haven't gotten any dingy coloring as of yet, the sun will bleach out those dirty stains.

Benefits:

• No yucky "gel" from the diaper left on his bottom or belly from the diaper.
• Cheaper!
• No trips to Target just for diapers
• Less garbage

Drawbacks:

• More time
• Not as convenient

So far so good. We'll see how it goes once we introduce solids and things get stinkier and require poop disposal before washing.

Announcing...

I've sent these out across the country and around the globe!

Last name omitted!

5 Weeks

• The umbilical cord stump fell off! I don't know when or where or where it is but it is gone. We're having a full tub bath tomorrow!
• We've been trying the cloth diapers during the day around the house. The fit is not quite right as you are not quite big enough, but you're getting there. We're figuring out the fit, the stuffing, and just what needs to be done in this cloth diapering routine. Your bottom looks extra cute in the cloth diapers.

• You are smiling, and it gives me butterflies.

• You love to sit up and and stand up. Each morning and evening we sit in a chair...in the den, in the office, in your room, and make eyes at each other. If you push out your feet, then up you go. You are trying, really trying to put weight on your legs. I knew you'd be a genius but had no idea you'd be such a brut as well!

• You're a much happier baby the last few days, Freddie. I'm not sure if it's the dairy free life your mama is leading, but something is different for you.
  
• You've slept for 5 hour stints a few times this week. I awake in a panic 3 hours into it and then just lie there and listen to you coo and breathe until you finally wake up. Not sure what leads to these five hour stretches, but I hope we can tap into it and get into a good sleep pattern.
• Each night after your last feeding of the night, around 2 or 3 am, when I put you down you don't drift off to sleep. Instead you wriggle around, kicking your legs for about 30 minutes until you finally call for me with a cry. When I pick you up and place you on your belly or on your side on my chest, you serenade me with 10-15 minutes of poots! Where does this gas come from my dear?
• I'm trying to take more pictures of you. I forget, which stinks because I am usually pretty good about the photo documentation, but hate to miss something when I'm behind the camera.