Reese has had a cold all week, and Owen caught it. When we were at the doctor on Monday, the pediatrician told us to come in right away if it looked like Owen was exhibiting RSV symptoms. By Friday, he was. Very runny nose, wheezy sound when he cried, bad cough. I decided to take him in, since it was Friday. They swabbed his nose and the doctor checked him out. Even before the results were back, she was pretty sure it was RSV. It was.
Fortunately, he seems to either have a very mild case or be handling it very well. He's a little raspy, but his breathing hasn't been labored at all. Many babies are hospitalized with RSV, so we're feeling very lucky and watching him closely over the next few days to make sure it doesn't progress to that level. She said this season has been very bad for Strep and RSV. I guess we're just lucky to have had them both in our family in the last week!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
6-month checkup
We went for Owen's 6-month checkup on Monday. Everything checked out fine, except the doctor was concerned about his growth curve. At his 3-month check, he was 97+ percentile for length. At this check, he had only grown 1/2 an inch and had fallen to the 50th percentile. She said it could be a Vitamin D deficiency, since it's winter and he's not getting much exposure to the sun. She said it is now recommended that babies start a multivitamin at 6 months (I will be starting him on that ASAP.) She said it could also be a renal problem, and we could wait and see how he had grown at his 9-month check. If he was still progressing slowly, she would recommend blood tests to determine if there was an underlying issue. I told her that I would rather be proactive about it and we went ahead and did the blood draw in her office. The phlebotomists couldn't find a vein big enough, so they decided to do a heel stick.
The following morning, I recieved a call from the doctor. She said that everything was normal except for an elevated potassium. She said it was most likely caused by the squeezing and squeezing to get blood from the heel. But, if his lack of growth was caused by a renal problem, the potassium would be elevated. She suggested that I take him to the hospital to have the blood drawn there.
We went to the hospital that same morning. The phlebotomist there started looking at his arms for a vein, telling me that a heel stick would produce a false potassium reading (um, why didn't the phlebotomists in her office know this if it's such common knowledge??) She stuck both arms, but couldn't find a vein (THAT was fun! I guess the pediatrician's phlebotomists really were being conservative when they said they couldn't find a vein.) She finally resorted to a heel stick, but warmed his heel first and didn't squeeze, but let the blood run freely.
The doctor called us on Wednesday to let us know that everything was normal. Whew! In the meanttime, I had contacted the study coordinator at OU to find out what his height and weight measurements had been during our visits there. Turns out, they had recorded a lenght of 24.25 inches at 3 months. That's 2.75 inches shorter than at the pediatrician's office! No wonder it looked like he wasn't growing! The pediatrician's number at 3 months was very inflated, and he has actually grown 3.5 inches. He weighed 17lb. 10oz.
A lot of worry, but we have a healthy, normal baby!
The following morning, I recieved a call from the doctor. She said that everything was normal except for an elevated potassium. She said it was most likely caused by the squeezing and squeezing to get blood from the heel. But, if his lack of growth was caused by a renal problem, the potassium would be elevated. She suggested that I take him to the hospital to have the blood drawn there.
We went to the hospital that same morning. The phlebotomist there started looking at his arms for a vein, telling me that a heel stick would produce a false potassium reading (um, why didn't the phlebotomists in her office know this if it's such common knowledge??) She stuck both arms, but couldn't find a vein (THAT was fun! I guess the pediatrician's phlebotomists really were being conservative when they said they couldn't find a vein.) She finally resorted to a heel stick, but warmed his heel first and didn't squeeze, but let the blood run freely.
The doctor called us on Wednesday to let us know that everything was normal. Whew! In the meanttime, I had contacted the study coordinator at OU to find out what his height and weight measurements had been during our visits there. Turns out, they had recorded a lenght of 24.25 inches at 3 months. That's 2.75 inches shorter than at the pediatrician's office! No wonder it looked like he wasn't growing! The pediatrician's number at 3 months was very inflated, and he has actually grown 3.5 inches. He weighed 17lb. 10oz.
A lot of worry, but we have a healthy, normal baby!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Reese - 31 months
With the Christmas rush, I never had the time to write a 2.5 year update for Reese. It's been a while. Poor middle child. ;)
Reesie (as everyone calls her) is something else! She is a handful, but so much fun, too.
She's been potty trained since last fall, but still has occasional accidents. Still in diapers for naps and at night, but I think we might be making progress on that front.
She's a Daddy's Girl, but likes mommy pretty well, too. She likes us so much that she can't stand to be away from us all night long. We usually get a visit sometime during the night. Oh, well. She won't be sleeping with us when she's 16! She doesn't require much sleep, either. If she has a nap, she'll be up until 10. Problem is, if she DOESN'T have a nap, she'll be up until 10. Like a typical girl, she likes to sleep in, usually until 8:30 or 9. This is quite a change from my early bird Gabriel!
Last summer, we started her in Mother's Day Out. She's continued one day a week this year. She seems to have a great time and always gets glowing reports. Sometimes she gets a little sad when I drop her off, though.
She's mastered her ABCs, so we'll start trying to recognize them soon. She can count to 10+, most of the way to 20. She loves to read books and wants me to take her finger and point as she counts. We FINALLY got our colors down. That one seemed to take a while!
We had her speech evaluated last fall due to her articulation. She is improving leaps and bounds each day. Everyone can understand most of what she says now. She cracks me up with some of the things she says and understands.
Her hair is getting so long and I know I'm going to have to cut it soon. I'm so afraid that once I cut the curls, that will be it! Her hair hangs in her face, though, and she looks like a little homeless girl most of the time. She won't leave a bow or a pony in for long.
She's already very picky about what she wears and is sure to let me know if I pick something out that doesn't meet her approval. She takes after her brother (and Grammy would tell you me) with changing clothes 50 times a day. She likes her birthday suit best. ;)
She LOVES her babies, but also loves trains, cars, blocks...anything Gabe is playing with. Most of the time, they play really well together. If he makes her mad, though, watch out! She has the worst shriek and will give him a good slug to make sure he knows she's unhappy. Poor Gabe. Most of the time, he just tolerates it (I don't, though!)
She is, by far, our best eater. She will eat anything, including sushi. LOVES asparagus and green beans. Those are usually the first things to go on her plate. She's still a skinny little thing, though! The other day, she tried on Owen's 6-12 month pants. They actually fit her! I decided to measure their waists. Only 1/2 an inch difference! She mostly wears size 3T, but I've started buying her 4T. Tops fit her perfectly, but 4T pants are still a bit big. The 3Ts are almost too short, though! Holding steady in a size 9 shoe.
She loves the idea of talking on the phone, though most of the time she just holds it and listens. Don't try to take it away from her, though (See comment on shrieking above!) :)
She loves baby Owen, and finally knows his name! After six months of calling him Baby Ben (mostly to be ornery) she's started calling him Baby Owen. She loves to help with Owen, and if he flops over and I can't get to him right away, she's pretty good at sitting him back upright. Unfortunately, she thinks this mean she's big enough to carry him, so I have to watch her very closely around him.
After the baby was born, I had to put away anything liquid, paste, gel, or otherwise pourable, squeezable or messy. She's a curious little thing! She keeps us on our toes, but I suppose we'd get bored, otherwise. :)
Reesie (as everyone calls her) is something else! She is a handful, but so much fun, too.
She's been potty trained since last fall, but still has occasional accidents. Still in diapers for naps and at night, but I think we might be making progress on that front.
She's a Daddy's Girl, but likes mommy pretty well, too. She likes us so much that she can't stand to be away from us all night long. We usually get a visit sometime during the night. Oh, well. She won't be sleeping with us when she's 16! She doesn't require much sleep, either. If she has a nap, she'll be up until 10. Problem is, if she DOESN'T have a nap, she'll be up until 10. Like a typical girl, she likes to sleep in, usually until 8:30 or 9. This is quite a change from my early bird Gabriel!
Last summer, we started her in Mother's Day Out. She's continued one day a week this year. She seems to have a great time and always gets glowing reports. Sometimes she gets a little sad when I drop her off, though.
She's mastered her ABCs, so we'll start trying to recognize them soon. She can count to 10+, most of the way to 20. She loves to read books and wants me to take her finger and point as she counts. We FINALLY got our colors down. That one seemed to take a while!
We had her speech evaluated last fall due to her articulation. She is improving leaps and bounds each day. Everyone can understand most of what she says now. She cracks me up with some of the things she says and understands.
Her hair is getting so long and I know I'm going to have to cut it soon. I'm so afraid that once I cut the curls, that will be it! Her hair hangs in her face, though, and she looks like a little homeless girl most of the time. She won't leave a bow or a pony in for long.
She's already very picky about what she wears and is sure to let me know if I pick something out that doesn't meet her approval. She takes after her brother (and Grammy would tell you me) with changing clothes 50 times a day. She likes her birthday suit best. ;)
She LOVES her babies, but also loves trains, cars, blocks...anything Gabe is playing with. Most of the time, they play really well together. If he makes her mad, though, watch out! She has the worst shriek and will give him a good slug to make sure he knows she's unhappy. Poor Gabe. Most of the time, he just tolerates it (I don't, though!)
She is, by far, our best eater. She will eat anything, including sushi. LOVES asparagus and green beans. Those are usually the first things to go on her plate. She's still a skinny little thing, though! The other day, she tried on Owen's 6-12 month pants. They actually fit her! I decided to measure their waists. Only 1/2 an inch difference! She mostly wears size 3T, but I've started buying her 4T. Tops fit her perfectly, but 4T pants are still a bit big. The 3Ts are almost too short, though! Holding steady in a size 9 shoe.
She loves the idea of talking on the phone, though most of the time she just holds it and listens. Don't try to take it away from her, though (See comment on shrieking above!) :)
She loves baby Owen, and finally knows his name! After six months of calling him Baby Ben (mostly to be ornery) she's started calling him Baby Owen. She loves to help with Owen, and if he flops over and I can't get to him right away, she's pretty good at sitting him back upright. Unfortunately, she thinks this mean she's big enough to carry him, so I have to watch her very closely around him.
After the baby was born, I had to put away anything liquid, paste, gel, or otherwise pourable, squeezable or messy. She's a curious little thing! She keeps us on our toes, but I suppose we'd get bored, otherwise. :)
Saturday, January 24, 2009
sick
We must like variety around here! Yesterday, Owen came down with a stomach bug. He seems to be much better today, so I hope it was just the 24-hour variety. Dave had strep earlier in the week and is still on the mend. Reese has had a cold, though it hasn't slowed her down. And, I have a case of pink eye that just won't go away. Gabe seems to be the healthiest of us all, for now. I hope next week is much healthier for us all!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
I never tire of hearing this
Several times throughout the day, I hear, "Mommy?" I usually think he's about to ask for something or to do something. So, I answer, "what, Gabe?"
"I love you."
:)
"I love you."
:)
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
6 months
Stats: 6-12 month clothes. Size 3 diapers. We go to the doctor next week.
It's official. It's time to start thinking about the first birthday party. :( I've already started purchasing things to have a barnyard theme. I can't believe it's halfway here!
Owen has been, by far, my easiest baby. That said, he still likes to be held, and insists on it, much of the time. While he loves his jumperoo and exersaucer, I think he's getting bored with the same ol' toys. The backpack is a lifesaver, and some days, it's the only way I get things done around here.
He's sitting by himself pretty consistently now. He will sit for a decent length of time and play with toys in his room. If he flops, though, he can't get back up and starts screaming. Not so crazy about being on his stomach. Needless to say, we're nowhere near crawling.
He's not sleeping through the night yet, but I think we're getting close. If he wakes up "talking", I'll usually just let him talk himself back to sleep. When he cries, I'll bring him into bed and we go back to sleep. Some nights, he makes it all the way through. He still naps sporadically throughout the day. He hasn't worked out a two-nap schedule yet. Some days, he'll take one two- or three-hour nap and a shorter nap. Other days, It's a few one-hour naps. It just depends on how busy we are that day.
He's definitely the best baby I've had to ride in a car. The others would scream unless they were sleeping. Often, I'll ask the kids if he's asleep because he's so quiet, but he's just checking things out. Sometimes, he'll even ride in the carseat at the store. I always take the Bjorn with me, just he case he wants out.
He's had some cereal and bites of our food here and there. Now that he's 6 months, I'll probably start introducing more food and giving him cereal daily. He's pretty content with breastmilk, though!
Owen is a joy to our whole family. The kids adore him and love to hold him and carry him around (within my reach.) The last 6 months has just flown by, and I'm trying so hard to cherise these days before he's a toddler! It seems to just get faster and faster with each kiddo.
It's official. It's time to start thinking about the first birthday party. :( I've already started purchasing things to have a barnyard theme. I can't believe it's halfway here!
Owen has been, by far, my easiest baby. That said, he still likes to be held, and insists on it, much of the time. While he loves his jumperoo and exersaucer, I think he's getting bored with the same ol' toys. The backpack is a lifesaver, and some days, it's the only way I get things done around here.
He's sitting by himself pretty consistently now. He will sit for a decent length of time and play with toys in his room. If he flops, though, he can't get back up and starts screaming. Not so crazy about being on his stomach. Needless to say, we're nowhere near crawling.
He's not sleeping through the night yet, but I think we're getting close. If he wakes up "talking", I'll usually just let him talk himself back to sleep. When he cries, I'll bring him into bed and we go back to sleep. Some nights, he makes it all the way through. He still naps sporadically throughout the day. He hasn't worked out a two-nap schedule yet. Some days, he'll take one two- or three-hour nap and a shorter nap. Other days, It's a few one-hour naps. It just depends on how busy we are that day.
He's definitely the best baby I've had to ride in a car. The others would scream unless they were sleeping. Often, I'll ask the kids if he's asleep because he's so quiet, but he's just checking things out. Sometimes, he'll even ride in the carseat at the store. I always take the Bjorn with me, just he case he wants out.
He's had some cereal and bites of our food here and there. Now that he's 6 months, I'll probably start introducing more food and giving him cereal daily. He's pretty content with breastmilk, though!
Owen is a joy to our whole family. The kids adore him and love to hold him and carry him around (within my reach.) The last 6 months has just flown by, and I'm trying so hard to cherise these days before he's a toddler! It seems to just get faster and faster with each kiddo.
Monday, January 19, 2009
My "baby" - 4.5 years old today
Wow. Four and a half. HOW??? I just don't know...
It's been a while since I've given a detailed update on Gabe, so bear with me. :)
Stats: He weighs 44 pounds and is 44.25 inches tall. He wears a size 5T and 11.5 shoe.
Gabe is such a fun kid. He loves all kinds of sports, and is pretty good at them, too. Last year he played soccer and t-ball. He was the lead scorer on the soccer team. He didn't like t-ball as much. Baseball is his favorite sport, but he was used to hitting pitches in the front yard with Dad, so he doesn't like using a T. He'll probably play both again this year. He says he wants to play football, too. He also likes basketball, but the leagues don't start until age 5. Maybe next year. Eventually, we'll have to find just one or two that he likes the best or excels at. I'm not going to be one of "those" moms! :)
Four has been a "tough" year. I say "tough" because Gabe has always been a pretty easy kid. We never really had the "terrible twos" and "three is worse." Once Reese hit her terrible twos, though, he joined right in. ;) He's really exerting his independence, which is a good thing! I try to let him have it without squelching too much.
He loves spending time with us. Family movie night with popcorn and hot chocolate is becoming a favorite tradition. He gets very attached to things. He cried when we sold our Honda and didn't like it much when we got a new fridge. He's funny like that. ;) He's also starting asking to play with friends more and more. He always wants to have James or Jordan or Ethan over. I'm so glad we have several boys right around us that are his age.
He's daddy's little buddy. Loves to spend time with Dad and go on errands with him. That's hard for me, but I guess this is about the right age for him to start identifying with his maleness. :)
I'm soaking up all the hugs and kisses he gives me. I know that all too soon, they won't be as frequent. He still gives me a huge hug and kiss at the door when I drop him off at school. I can't help but wonder how much longer that will last.
He's been in Mother's Day Out one day a week this year. We've also been participating in a homeschooling co-op one day a week. He's just recently become very interested in doing workbooks at home, so we're running with it! He LOVES math. We're working our way through Kindergarten level addition and subtraction workbooks. We're also working on reading, though a bit slower. My goal is to have him reading by5, so we'll see. We try to work in other teaching opportunities throughout our day, but aren't doing much "formal" learning at home. We have songs for the days of the week, months of the year, skip counting, history sentences, etc. I have to be sneaky, so he doesn't know he's actually learning something. ;)
I get teary just thinking back over the last 4.5 years and how fast they have gone by. Gabriel is such a blessing to me and our family. I am so pleased with the young boy that he is becoming. I give all the credit to God. :) Gabriel has such a sweet spirit, and he was born with it. He is so loving to his brother and sister, and always willing to help Mom and Dad around the house. A typical first child, I suppose. Loves to please.
It's been a while since I've given a detailed update on Gabe, so bear with me. :)
Stats: He weighs 44 pounds and is 44.25 inches tall. He wears a size 5T and 11.5 shoe.
Gabe is such a fun kid. He loves all kinds of sports, and is pretty good at them, too. Last year he played soccer and t-ball. He was the lead scorer on the soccer team. He didn't like t-ball as much. Baseball is his favorite sport, but he was used to hitting pitches in the front yard with Dad, so he doesn't like using a T. He'll probably play both again this year. He says he wants to play football, too. He also likes basketball, but the leagues don't start until age 5. Maybe next year. Eventually, we'll have to find just one or two that he likes the best or excels at. I'm not going to be one of "those" moms! :)
Four has been a "tough" year. I say "tough" because Gabe has always been a pretty easy kid. We never really had the "terrible twos" and "three is worse." Once Reese hit her terrible twos, though, he joined right in. ;) He's really exerting his independence, which is a good thing! I try to let him have it without squelching too much.
He loves spending time with us. Family movie night with popcorn and hot chocolate is becoming a favorite tradition. He gets very attached to things. He cried when we sold our Honda and didn't like it much when we got a new fridge. He's funny like that. ;) He's also starting asking to play with friends more and more. He always wants to have James or Jordan or Ethan over. I'm so glad we have several boys right around us that are his age.
He's daddy's little buddy. Loves to spend time with Dad and go on errands with him. That's hard for me, but I guess this is about the right age for him to start identifying with his maleness. :)
I'm soaking up all the hugs and kisses he gives me. I know that all too soon, they won't be as frequent. He still gives me a huge hug and kiss at the door when I drop him off at school. I can't help but wonder how much longer that will last.
He's been in Mother's Day Out one day a week this year. We've also been participating in a homeschooling co-op one day a week. He's just recently become very interested in doing workbooks at home, so we're running with it! He LOVES math. We're working our way through Kindergarten level addition and subtraction workbooks. We're also working on reading, though a bit slower. My goal is to have him reading by5, so we'll see. We try to work in other teaching opportunities throughout our day, but aren't doing much "formal" learning at home. We have songs for the days of the week, months of the year, skip counting, history sentences, etc. I have to be sneaky, so he doesn't know he's actually learning something. ;)
I get teary just thinking back over the last 4.5 years and how fast they have gone by. Gabriel is such a blessing to me and our family. I am so pleased with the young boy that he is becoming. I give all the credit to God. :) Gabriel has such a sweet spirit, and he was born with it. He is so loving to his brother and sister, and always willing to help Mom and Dad around the house. A typical first child, I suppose. Loves to please.
Monday, January 5, 2009
first food
Owen has had a couple of bites here and there of things like bananas, but tonight, he had his first real serving of food. We went out to eat at the Mediterranean restaurant and he LOVED the humus! I mean, cried to get more, and attacked the fork as it was nearing his mouth! We were worried that it wouldn't sit well with him with all the garlic, but he had no problems or reactions at all! We bought a box of organic baby oatmeal, so we'll probably start him on that soon. I took some video, but somehow lost it while trying to get it off my phone. :(
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