Posing in his crib...
Napping on the couch. Plain tuckered out from his snowtime fun!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Snow Day Pictures
Here are some pictures from Chase's second snow day. The first snow day the snow melted so fast that we didn't get a chance to take any pictures.
4 Months
Chase turned 4 months old on Thursday! Our 4 month well baby checkup was scheduled for Friday afternoon around 3pm. That morning it seemed like the weather was going to get bad well before 3pm so we called and had the appointment moved to 9:30. Good thing we did! While we were in the Drs office with Dr. Owen, it began snowing and snowed almost 2". The experience driving back from the pedi was much different than driving to the pedi!
4 Month Stats:
Weight: 15 lbs 4 oz (50th percentile) - up 3 lb 10 oz from 2 month checkup
Length: 25.5" (75th percentile) - 2" longer than month 2
Head: 42 cm (50th percentile) - 3 cm bigger than month 2
Cheeks: 100th percentile - ha ha!
We knew he was getting a ton bigger, but now we have proof! Dr. Owen was extremely impressed with Chase's ability to sit up assisted. He said he would have thought Chase was 6 months old had he not met Chase before! It appears that Chase is meeting all of his milestones. We talked about solid foods and Dr. Owen agreed with my thoughts about delaying them until 6 months since he's doing so well right now. At the end of the visit Chase received his 4 month immunizations. They were basically the same ones we received at 2 months. The nurse laughed at Chase because the entire time before, during, and after his shots Chase had his hands behind his head like he was relaxing after a long day at work! He was super calm until the point the needles went in and then he got UPSET! He calmed down after the bandaids went on and smiled again just shortly after!
Everything was going fantastic until 3:15. Oh, I don't know if I'll ever forget that time. Chase had been so good all day and napping like a little angel. Then at 3:15 he hit a wall (not literally, of course)! Uncontrollable screaming, restless, and unable to be soothed by either mommy or daddy. When he screams like that we always assume he must be hungry. Nope, he turned me down like I had never seen before! Then it dawns on us that maybe it's the shots (note that he had no such reaction from his 2 month shots). Drew takes his temperature and it's 100.8. I FREAK OUT since I think the fever begins at 100.4 and I had never yet seen him actually have a fever. Of course I call my mom and ask for advice. Then I call the pedi who has closed due to the snow (why oh why does this happen the one time I call them for anything?!). Their voice recording mentions something about an after hour nurse or call 911. I then freak out more because I heard the words "911". I then call my mom back bawling this time because my child is screaming, I feel stuck by the snow, and the doctor voicemail mentions 911. I was just not ready for this! I then refer back to my "Baby's Owners Manual" I received from my pedi and notice that for children 2 to 6 months of age, you don't have to call the doctor until the temp reaches 101. I calm down instantly knowing that Chase was only 100.8, not 101! Whew! I grabbed the baby tylenol and give it to him. We then also prepare a 2 ounce bottle of milk to possibly help calm Chase down. It worked like a charm. He sucked those 2 ounces down quickly and then didn't turn me away when I offered him more! Yay! We battled an ongoing fever for the next 24 hours, but thankfully we knew what we were doing after this first episode. The lesson learned here is that we will always schedule immunizations on a Friday so he can recover over the weekend. Also, we will immediately give him tylenol as soon as we get back from the doctors office.
While at the doctor, Dr. Owen mentioned how Chase should still be getting tummy time. Unfortuntately, neither Drew or I have worked on tummy time very much since I last promised that I would (Chase just hates it SO much!). Well, now I've officially been guilted into it, so since then we've been giving Chase tummy time everyday even if just for a few minutes. It seems like he's progressed a lot!
4 Month Stats:
Weight: 15 lbs 4 oz (50th percentile) - up 3 lb 10 oz from 2 month checkup
Length: 25.5" (75th percentile) - 2" longer than month 2
Head: 42 cm (50th percentile) - 3 cm bigger than month 2
Cheeks: 100th percentile - ha ha!
We knew he was getting a ton bigger, but now we have proof! Dr. Owen was extremely impressed with Chase's ability to sit up assisted. He said he would have thought Chase was 6 months old had he not met Chase before! It appears that Chase is meeting all of his milestones. We talked about solid foods and Dr. Owen agreed with my thoughts about delaying them until 6 months since he's doing so well right now. At the end of the visit Chase received his 4 month immunizations. They were basically the same ones we received at 2 months. The nurse laughed at Chase because the entire time before, during, and after his shots Chase had his hands behind his head like he was relaxing after a long day at work! He was super calm until the point the needles went in and then he got UPSET! He calmed down after the bandaids went on and smiled again just shortly after!
Everything was going fantastic until 3:15. Oh, I don't know if I'll ever forget that time. Chase had been so good all day and napping like a little angel. Then at 3:15 he hit a wall (not literally, of course)! Uncontrollable screaming, restless, and unable to be soothed by either mommy or daddy. When he screams like that we always assume he must be hungry. Nope, he turned me down like I had never seen before! Then it dawns on us that maybe it's the shots (note that he had no such reaction from his 2 month shots). Drew takes his temperature and it's 100.8. I FREAK OUT since I think the fever begins at 100.4 and I had never yet seen him actually have a fever. Of course I call my mom and ask for advice. Then I call the pedi who has closed due to the snow (why oh why does this happen the one time I call them for anything?!). Their voice recording mentions something about an after hour nurse or call 911. I then freak out more because I heard the words "911". I then call my mom back bawling this time because my child is screaming, I feel stuck by the snow, and the doctor voicemail mentions 911. I was just not ready for this! I then refer back to my "Baby's Owners Manual" I received from my pedi and notice that for children 2 to 6 months of age, you don't have to call the doctor until the temp reaches 101. I calm down instantly knowing that Chase was only 100.8, not 101! Whew! I grabbed the baby tylenol and give it to him. We then also prepare a 2 ounce bottle of milk to possibly help calm Chase down. It worked like a charm. He sucked those 2 ounces down quickly and then didn't turn me away when I offered him more! Yay! We battled an ongoing fever for the next 24 hours, but thankfully we knew what we were doing after this first episode. The lesson learned here is that we will always schedule immunizations on a Friday so he can recover over the weekend. Also, we will immediately give him tylenol as soon as we get back from the doctors office.
While at the doctor, Dr. Owen mentioned how Chase should still be getting tummy time. Unfortuntately, neither Drew or I have worked on tummy time very much since I last promised that I would (Chase just hates it SO much!). Well, now I've officially been guilted into it, so since then we've been giving Chase tummy time everyday even if just for a few minutes. It seems like he's progressed a lot!
Lifting up on those arms and looking around...
Still not his favorite though...
Weezie whispering a little something to Chase...
Oh yeah, we have a dog! Sorry Weez that you haven't been in any pictures in 4 months!
Back to tummy time. Push ups!
So angry he could drool!
Finally, back to fun times on his back and laughing at daddy!
The dreaded phone call!!
On Wednesday I got my first phone call from the daycare while I was at work. I've been dreading a call from the daycare because I knew nothing good could come out of it. The teacher called and said that Chase felt a little warm to her when she picked him up, so she took his temperature and it was 100.2. As you technically have a fever at 100.4, I knew this was kind of significant. Being a little freaked out that I was getting a phone call in the first place and that I was having this conversation since Chase seemed like the picture of perfect health when I dropped him off less than 4 hours earlier, I asked her what I should do. She suggested calling the pedi and seeing what they said. So, I called the pedi and they suggested coming in to get Chase checked out since his temp is so close to being a fever. Thirty minutes later, Chase was picked up from school and we were at the Dr's office. While there we learned that he had his first ear infection in the right ear. We were prescribed amoxicillan and as I picked up the Rx from Walgreens I had flashbacks when I saw he was getting the pink bubblegum flavored medicine I loved as a kid. I admit I was kind of jealous that I wasn't getting any!
What's funny about the ear infection is that Chase NEVER acted sick. He never even really felt warm to me, he was never especially fussy, nothing out of the ordinary, so had the teacher not said anything or taken his temperature we would have never known.
What's funny about the ear infection is that Chase NEVER acted sick. He never even really felt warm to me, he was never especially fussy, nothing out of the ordinary, so had the teacher not said anything or taken his temperature we would have never known.
My favorite part of this ear infection has got to be giving Chase his medicine! I was a little nervous at first since I've never given him anything before except for one dropper of baby Tylenol. Each time he takes a dose, he goes through the same stages. At first he initially tastes the bubblegum flavor and gets a weird, scared look on his face as if saying "what is this? this is not my normal milk!". Then he starts to accept the weird flavor and realizes it's not too bad. Then he really starts getting into it and then you can see him making strong sucking motions on the syringe trying to get more! By the end, he's looking at me like "that's it? I want more!". I've posted a picture below trying to capture the hilarious face of when he first tastes the medicine. It's not fully captured in all its glory in this picture, but it's close enough!
So now we have our first sickness behind us (or getting behind us since he's still on the medicine). I'm glad for my sanity that this one was very mild and nothing too traumatic for me or him!
Monday, January 25, 2010
17 for you...and 1,565 for me!
On the same day I turned (approximately) 1,565 weeks old, Chase turned 17 weeks old! This Thursday he will be 4 months! We are going to the pediatrician Friday afternoon to get his stats and more shots. We think he's a little over 15 pounds right now based on a weigh-in we did Saturday. We've got a list of questions ready to ask the Dr. since our minds usually go blank in the exam office once Chase starts screaming from being nearly naked in a cold room and getting needles in his legs! We'll keep you posted on what we learn on Friday!
Monday, January 18, 2010
Baptism/16 Weeks
Chase had his Baptism yesterday. He looked so cute yesterday in his outfit and was so good sitting/sleeping throughout the church service. He even went to Sunday School with us afterwards and behaved very well!
Here are some pictures from the day...
Today, Chase turned 16 weeks old!! Holy moly, time has been passing fast!
Here are some pictures of Chase doing his new favorite thing...putting his hand in his mouth!! Ha ha! Check out his tongue in the second picture! :)
One year ago today...
One year ago today, we learned that a little something was on the way...
After many, many, many months of trying to get that one little word to pop up on that stick (I was beginning to think positive pregnancy tests were an urban myth), we finally saw it. After I took the test, Drew and I began the 4 or so minute wait. Drew went off into the kitchen to do something to try to pass the time and I began brushing my teeth. About 30 seconds into brushing my teeth, I thought I would sneak a peek to see what was happening. I was expecting the little hourglass to still be flashing, but oh no! It said "Pregnant"! When I read that word, I believe my heart stopped beating for just a few seconds. I was in total shock.
Nine months later, we had this precious little boy. Totally worth the wait!!
Monday, January 11, 2010
A Great Day
Today was probably one of Chase's best days! He was such a content, peaceful little boy all day (except for the times we shoved the aspirator up his nose!). Even day care commented on how great he was today. I think he's finally settling into a routine now that I'm back to work and he's really adapting well to it (me on the other hand...).
Some of Chase's latest baby "tricks" include talking to us (more like random vowel sounds, but sometimes it seems like he's having a very serious conversation with us!), more intentional use of his hands and grabbing at things in front of him (his pacifier, a toy, my hair...), and he has almost full support of his head now. His laughs now are also slowly starting to sound like little laughs, rather than the "coo's" we've been hearing before. I think we are possibly lagging on some of the milestones related to arm strength because Chase absolutely LOATHES tummy time (and we LOATHE hearing him loathe tummy time), but we will try to continue to work on that in the coming weeks.
On to the 15 week pictures...
In one of my last posts I mentioned how I couldn't get a good picture of Chase sticking ALL of his fingers in his mouth.
Some of Chase's latest baby "tricks" include talking to us (more like random vowel sounds, but sometimes it seems like he's having a very serious conversation with us!), more intentional use of his hands and grabbing at things in front of him (his pacifier, a toy, my hair...), and he has almost full support of his head now. His laughs now are also slowly starting to sound like little laughs, rather than the "coo's" we've been hearing before. I think we are possibly lagging on some of the milestones related to arm strength because Chase absolutely LOATHES tummy time (and we LOATHE hearing him loathe tummy time), but we will try to continue to work on that in the coming weeks.
On to the 15 week pictures...
Some of the other cute pictures from the day...
(Note that because I'm the mother I'm allowed to post a plethora of almost identical pictures. It's almost my job).
In one of my last posts I mentioned how I couldn't get a good picture of Chase sticking ALL of his fingers in his mouth.
GOT IT!
I'm so proud!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Baby Play Time
During our snow day at home, we had some fun indoors! Chase played under his little activity gym.
Since Chase has tried and failed many times to get his thumb in his mouth, he finally resorted to just sticking his other four fingers in his mouth. It was such a cute sight. I tried many times to get his photographed. Believe it or not, this is the best picture I got of it (I'm really not the best photographer ever!).
Daddy also played "Flying Baby" with Chase. Next time you see Drew, you should ask him to sing the "Flying Baby" song that accompanies this! :)
Advanced Placement
I've had this excersaucer just sitting in the corner of my living room since August. Once Chase turned 3 months and showed the tiniest bit of evidence of being able to fully support his head, I had to put him in the excersaucer to try it out.
Poor Chase's feet barely touched the bottom. He also still really doesn't know what to do with his hands, so he was just sitting there staring at all the toys. He did seem to enjoy it though! So maybe in another month or so when he's actually big enough for it, this will be a lot of fun!!
Poor Chase's feet barely touched the bottom. He also still really doesn't know what to do with his hands, so he was just sitting there staring at all the toys. He did seem to enjoy it though! So maybe in another month or so when he's actually big enough for it, this will be a lot of fun!!
Back to the Real World
Well, it had to happen sooner or later. After 3 months of getting to be a stay-at-home mommy and being a domestic diva (my husband has to be laughing right now), it was time to return to work.
Let me just say that maternity leave was all I hoped it would be. It was awesome. The first couple of weeks were the most difficult as I was learning how to be a mom and Chase was learning what it was like to be...well...outside of me. After that, we got in a groove and spent many lazy days, weeks, and months in bed. I watched a lot of Today Show, Dr. Oz, and the Doctors on TV. Early on I watched a lot of Baby Story and Bringing Home Baby to, you know, compare notes with the other new mommies on TV. I spent a lot of time just staring at Chase when he slept just amazed that he was mine. I also did almost everything under the sun trying to make him smile and laugh. There was nothing more amazing than his first smiles. It just lit up his entire face and put tears in my eyes!
On Monday, I needed to return back to work, thus Chase needed to go to daycare. Two weeks ago, we visited the daycare to meet the teacher, drop off diapers, and ask all of our questions. I cried pretty much the entire time during our 30 minute visit, so I knew when I actually had to drop him off for real, it was going to be awful!
Let the cry tally begin...I first started crying after I fed Chase that morning and got him dressed. Back in the "good ole days" we would just chill out in bed and cuddle. Now I had to go put him in his car seat and prepare to be separated from him! Quite a difference. Then I cried as I picked up his carrier and we proceeded to walk to the garage. Then I made it all the way to the center, walked into his room, and as soon as the teacher said "Hey Chase!", I started boo-hoo'ing again. After I dropped him off, I think I had to sit in the parking lot for another 10 minutes crying on the phone with my mom! Now, I've always had separation issues, so this really isn't unusual for me! It's amazing to me that I did as well as I did!
The good news is that Chase appeared to have really enjoyed his first day of "school". When I picked him up, he was lying on a mat staring at baby gym almost in a trance staring at the toy! I walked over to him and tried to get in his eyeline. He stared at me with a blank expression on his face at first and then after a few seconds he smiled. It was so sweet! I got his report card for the day. He ate well, slept just a little, and ended up getting a reputation as a very poopy baby!! Out of the 4 diapers they changed, 3 were dirty! Drew made fun of me saying that the daycare workers are going to start calling me the crying mom with the poopy baby!
By Tuesday however, I didn't cry at all. It's kind of nice getting ready for the day and knowing that you are going to take a shower and brush your teeth before 4pm everyday! I definitely don't see Chase as much anymore and that makes me sad, but it will make me appreciate our time together so much more.
Let me just say that maternity leave was all I hoped it would be. It was awesome. The first couple of weeks were the most difficult as I was learning how to be a mom and Chase was learning what it was like to be...well...outside of me. After that, we got in a groove and spent many lazy days, weeks, and months in bed. I watched a lot of Today Show, Dr. Oz, and the Doctors on TV. Early on I watched a lot of Baby Story and Bringing Home Baby to, you know, compare notes with the other new mommies on TV. I spent a lot of time just staring at Chase when he slept just amazed that he was mine. I also did almost everything under the sun trying to make him smile and laugh. There was nothing more amazing than his first smiles. It just lit up his entire face and put tears in my eyes!
On Monday, I needed to return back to work, thus Chase needed to go to daycare. Two weeks ago, we visited the daycare to meet the teacher, drop off diapers, and ask all of our questions. I cried pretty much the entire time during our 30 minute visit, so I knew when I actually had to drop him off for real, it was going to be awful!
Let the cry tally begin...I first started crying after I fed Chase that morning and got him dressed. Back in the "good ole days" we would just chill out in bed and cuddle. Now I had to go put him in his car seat and prepare to be separated from him! Quite a difference. Then I cried as I picked up his carrier and we proceeded to walk to the garage. Then I made it all the way to the center, walked into his room, and as soon as the teacher said "Hey Chase!", I started boo-hoo'ing again. After I dropped him off, I think I had to sit in the parking lot for another 10 minutes crying on the phone with my mom! Now, I've always had separation issues, so this really isn't unusual for me! It's amazing to me that I did as well as I did!
The good news is that Chase appeared to have really enjoyed his first day of "school". When I picked him up, he was lying on a mat staring at baby gym almost in a trance staring at the toy! I walked over to him and tried to get in his eyeline. He stared at me with a blank expression on his face at first and then after a few seconds he smiled. It was so sweet! I got his report card for the day. He ate well, slept just a little, and ended up getting a reputation as a very poopy baby!! Out of the 4 diapers they changed, 3 were dirty! Drew made fun of me saying that the daycare workers are going to start calling me the crying mom with the poopy baby!
By Tuesday however, I didn't cry at all. It's kind of nice getting ready for the day and knowing that you are going to take a shower and brush your teeth before 4pm everyday! I definitely don't see Chase as much anymore and that makes me sad, but it will make me appreciate our time together so much more.
14 Weeks
Chase turned 14 weeks old on his first day of daycare. He didn't sleep much at all at daycare, which resulted in a very tired, fussy baby by the time we took these pictures on Monday night. Check out these fussy pictures. They make me laugh. You would think we are torturing our poor child.
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