Priceless

1 Month Well Check Up

David Jr had his well check up today.  He weighed in at 11 pounds, 10 ounces (87th percentile) - up almost 4 pounds from birth (he was 7 pounds, 14 ounces).  He has grown to 23.25 inches long (93rd percentile) - up 2.75 inches.  His head has also grown 2 centimeters and is now has a circumference of 38 centimeters (42nd percentile).  Our doctor entered the room asking if I were taking steroids or feeding David steroids.  I actually found it quite amusing since the lactation specialist we saw during discharge at the hospital was concerned about David's weight loss during those first 40 hours.

The remainder of our visit was low key.  I asked a lot of questions (its amazing what I know now having done this before) and began a discussion about acid reflux.  Carly had been a happy spitter and we had been warned about characteristics to watch for in case things changed.  They never did; however, that discussion was vaguely in my memory and left me thinking David had an acid reflux problem.  Based on my description of these spitting up spells and a quick exam, we were sent home with a prescription for a reflux medicine and with a warning that it may take time to work through his system or he may begin to show improvement immediately.  We were also sent home with instructions to start vitamin drops to insure David is getting enough iron and vitamin D since he is nursing 100% of the time.  (We will be starting these in 3 days, once we know that there isn't a reaction from the acid reflux medicine.)

David will return next month for another check up and a round of shots...

If Carly Could Blog

If Carly could blog she would have a TON to tell you.  She returned on Sunday afternoon from spending 8 nights with her grandparents and aunt in Atlanta.  During her time she went to the zoo, ate pizza, went out for frozen yogurt, went to the public library, played in the sprinklers, and I'm sure did many more things she hasn't told me about yet.  Prior to her time in Atlanta her Grandma and Aunt were here helping her feed the ducks, go to the park, play bubbles outside, and read books.  Her Grandma and Aunt brought her back from a week at Seabrook, where she also got to play with her Papa and GG Papa.  (Click here for a post about this visit.)  And before her week at the beach she was her (with her Aunt) awaiting her new brother's arrival and playing with him.

These stories she has told me about when asked about them.  Sometimes the stories have a lot of details, other times you are just told the basics.  David and I were (and are still) worried that she would find her return home boring.  During the day she has to share me with her new brother, instead of having 2 to 4 adults ready to help make her request a reality.  Based on watching Carly play today, I don't think she has been bored since her return.  She was able to entertain herself quite nicely while I fed and changed David.  However, the real treat was watching her play.  She nursed her baby dolls, stopped them from crying, and got them all tummy time while David was eating.  Then she loaded one of her dolls up into its car seat/baby carrier and told me she was leaving.  When I asked where she was going she stated that she was taking her baby to the pool after they went to the boat.  This is exactly what Carly did on Sunday with her daddy upon her return home.  Within 2 hours of walking through our front door, Carly and David were sun screened up, in their bathing suits, and walking down to the boat for a quick ride prior to heading to the pool.

Carly also spent a lot of the day telling me about gymnastics and how her daddy was coming or about how he came.  This morning she announced to all of her friends at a playgroup breakfast about how her brother was now out of my tummy and how she had gymnastics and her daddy was meeting her there.  During gymnastics Carly REALLY showed off for him.  She listened and followed all of the directions and did a fabulous job at each station.  While we were stretching, she even glanced over occasionally to make sure he was stretching too and watching her.  Then on our ride home, she told me all about how Daddy had been at gymnastics, seen her new water bottle (which I was informed needed to be washed when we got home), and was now returning to work.  This was her last week at gymnastics until the fall, and Carly was very excited to show off her new skills to her Daddy.  

Finally

Well as of 9:55PM both of our children are in their beds!!  Tonight was not a super smooth night as a family of four.  After dinner we discussed going for a family car ride to re-trace David's 20ish mile bike ride from this morning.  Unfortunately, Carly didn't get into her car seat when asked so the car ride was canceled.  This of course led to tears during her bedtime routine, which led to her not listening while I was washing her hair.  This not listening then led to her not getting time to play with her bath toys following her shampoo.  The tears ended and I read her a bed time story, then the tears began.  She wanted David or me to sit in her room with her - which we aren't wanting to encourage.  So with a few tears and us checking on her regularly she eventually fell asleep in front of her door.

While Carly was falling asleep in front of her door David and I were busy bathing David and then trying to get him back to sleep.  After about an hour of eating, rocking, bouncing, carrying, and holding David finally fell asleep and was in his bed around 9:50.  Which was when we rechecked on Carly and found her in front of her door.  David was able to reach around the door and gently wake her up enough to encourage her to move so he could pick her up and place her in bed.

Oh what a bed time routine... and David just woke up again...

1 Month

David Jr has been out in the real world for a full month!  During this very busy month he has grown into size 1 diapers, out of newborn clothing, began tracking faces and objects that get close to him, and has gained a lot of head controls.  He is very interested in a blue elephant bell that hangs above his tummy time mat, tends to quit his antsy cry when his sister sings to him, likes to look at the baby in his soft mirror, and stares at a blue "my first bear" that he has.  He also enjoys having his Black and White Contrast book read to him and his book about Smiles.

4 Weeks

It is hard for us to process the idea that 4 weeks ago today we greeted David Jr. for the first time.  These past four weeks have been a whirlwind; however, I think time is only going to speed up during the next 4 weeks (rather than slow down).  At 4 weeks David Jr. is continuing to fall into a routine, he isn't quite there yet.  For the most part he is sleeping through the night, getting up every 3 to 4 hours to eat before going straight back to sleep.  Last night wasn't quite that way - he was quite content eating around 1:45 and then being awake until shortly after 5:00.  Thankfully he was happy during this time and even played happily in his crib around 3:00AM for an hour (when he wanted to eat again).

David Jr. is really working hard on gaining more control of his next muscles and isn't head butting us quite as frequently when he lifts up off our chests.  He is also becoming interested in the animals that hang above his head in the activity gym.  He will watch them and bat at them during his play time.  He is also enjoying looking at features on our faces, his black on white contrast book, and at the baby that looks back at him in his soft mirror.

Tummy Time

I'm working on my neck muscles!!