7.26.2013

Henry is 3 months old!!!

How is it that you are already three months old little buddy?? You definitely are getting a personality and are the sweetest most easy-going baby ever. My heart melts when you smile and you make this momma so happy with your coos and silly faces. I am enamored by your sweetness and how much you and your sister already seem to love each other! Happy 3 months buddy!!
What is going on with Henry at 3 months:
-- He is wearing 3-6 month clothing and some 6 month onesies
--He is smiling and cooing constantly!
--He laughs out loud! He has only done it twice but I live for those moments!
--He takes a bottle well. I just can't seem to pump enough for a full bottle which is driving me batty.
--He loves his pacifier and lovey (just like his sister)
--He is still a pretty good sleeper.  He takes his naps in his bouncer still and sleeps in his crib. He can sleep on average about 6-7 hours his first stretch at night (from 7pm--2am about) and then will sleep about a 3 hour stretch after that. It differs daily but that is about average.
--He still sleeps swaddled in a summer infant swaddleme blanket.
--We have our evaluation at Craniel Tech this month to discuss getting the band.  He still very much favors one side and even though I feel the stretches have helped somewhat, he mainly will sleep on that one side. I go in and turn his head every so often while I am awake and he might leave it there for 10-20 minutes, but then it will spring back to the favored side. I guess we will see what they say.  Along with pumping, this is my biggest concern for him right now.












Other things going on while Henry was busy turning 3 months:

--Terrible Twos are upon us. OH BOY. She is still a perfect princess but such a stinker.  She knows what buttons to push and when to push them. DRAMA DRAMA DRAMA
--I am down to 121 lbs! So close! 5 lbs to pre-pregnancy weight, 8 lbs to being at my goal weight! I am happy with my body's transformation and can't wait to get on a regular exercise schedule (once pre-school starts/sleeping more) to help the rest of the transformation.
--We have started to discuss extending my leave.  As of right now I am scheduled to go back January 30th.  By October we want to have the paperwork in for me extension if we decide that I am extending.  We will know more about that in a few weeks based on a couple of variables with Julian's job.

7.19.2013

Torticollis update

Henry has a mild case of torticollis which as resulted in him being diagnosed with moderate plagiocephaly or in other words he has a moderate flat spot of his head. A lot of babies born early get this because their heads are super malleable, also babies who were big at birth in comparison to their moms (thats me) because they were probably twisted to one side of the neck and couldn't move much at the end, which is why they favor that side. Also babies who spend a lot of time in their crib typically get these problems.

We noticed Henry was favoring one side of his head at his 1 month appointment.  He was starting to get a flat spot and the pediatrician told us little tricks to try to get him to use the other side of his head.   By his two month appointment it had gotten worse and we were referred to a Physical Therapist.  Some of the ideas people had to help was to put rolled up blankets/wedges/things into his bed to keep him on the one side. I am sorry, but SIDS scares me.  I would rather have a child who has a flat spot than one that doesn't breathe.  I know that probably wouldn't happen but I couldn't take the chance. Plus, he moves himself all over his crib like a mad man, so I wasn't comfortable putting things in his crib with him.

The PT gave us stretches to do, which should help.  He has 4-5 stretches he has to do 7 times a day and each one has to be held for a minimum of 30 seconds for three reps each time. I spend most of the day doing his stretches.  The good news is that he is SUCH a happy baby. Always smiling and laughing! I mean like belly laughs already! So, *most of the time* he doesn't mind doing his stretches. The only one who minds is Eloise because I can't do anything else during that time.  But, she is getting used to it and can try to help during the tummy time stretches.

Another part of this whole thing, is I haven't been putting him in his crib for naps because the less time spent on his back or on his left side -the better. So he still naps in his bouncer which I also bought an insert for to help keep his head straight and not to one side.  But, nap training will come in time.

We also made an appointment with craniel technologies for an eval for the band, or helmet.  At four months of age, we will decide whether or not Henry will need the band.  If we do decide he needs to wear it, he will have to wear it 23 hours a day for 4-10 weeks. Crazy, right? It is amazing that 1 out of 10 infants need to wear the band, but I am hoping being diligent enough with his stretches, going to the PT and the chiropractor, will help him out.

We have gone to see his PT twice so far, and she was happy with his progress. She said that in 1 week he already met his 3 week goals she had for him! That makes this mommy happy!! But, I still have lots of work to do and decisions to make. I am just so blessed and happy that he is happy and healthy and we will work out any other issues that arise :)