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Monday, January 11, 2010

16 Week Pictures : )

The Rice Cereal Extravaganza!

















Snow Day January 8, 2010





















Our little smiler!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

16 Weeks!

How Old? 16 weeks
Weight? 12 pounds!!! It is funny he seems so big to us. He has more than doubled his birth weight but when compared to other babies his age weighing 15 pounds, he is still so tiny! I love him being little!
Clothing? 3 months. He will still be in them for a while : ) Size 1 diapers but only until we use what we have. I have 1-2's he will start next.
Sleep? His schedule is OFF! We spent the night out 2 nights last week and it really messed him up. We are working our way back. Last night he got up at 1 and 4:30 that is awesome compared to the last few nights. No more messing up his schedule for a while because mommy pays for it!
Best moment this week? Taking him to the Georgia Aquarium for the first time and celebrating the New Year.
Sounds? He is getting louder! He gripes instead of crying now. It is kind of funny. Just his way of saying "I am tired of this, give me something new to do!"
Favorite Toys? His hands are his favorite toy right now. He also loves anything that has a face. Last night he was trying to push a button on his snail to make it play music. He accomplished it once and tried again about 20 times. It is amazing to see him learn to do things like that.
Eating? 4oz every 2-3 hours still. I think on top of his schedule being off he was also going through a growth spurt...again! He went from eating about 24 ounces a day to about 31 ounces! Hopefully we will slow it back down. I am not sure if I could keep up at that rate.
What I am looking forward to? 4 month appointment on the 12th, Baptism on January 17th and his cousin Logan's arrival in the next few weeks!
Milestones? Your baby will be getting extremely interested in the world around him, looking for interaction with family members, friends, and sometimes even strangers. He will be starting to reach for more, possibly reaching for mom, dad, or others he feels comfortable around. By now, your baby notices whether a picture is placed horizontally or vertically, he can tell the difference between pictures with two things in them and three things in them, and he can detect patterns. Combine these skills with his impressive tracking abilities, and it's clear you're raising quite a looker! Baby may start sprouting his first tooth (usually the lower middle) this month, but don't be concerned if those pearly whites aren't popping up just yet. It takes three years for baby to completely grow his first set of 20 teeth, so he's got a lot of time left. In the meantime, continue to admire his expanding baby vocabulary. He's learning to use consonants, so listen up for a "da-da" or "ma-ma"!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

15 Weeks (3.5 months)





































How Old?
15 weeks
Weight? About 11 and a half pounds (estimated)
Clothing? still 0-3 and 3 months. Mainly 3 months. He will be in them for a while : )
Sleep? Sleep is better than last week! We are back on track. Sleeps 7:30pm - 6:30am getting up once to eat. Usually between 2 and 3
Best moment this week? Christmas!!! He loves his new toys!
Sounds? He has started giggling and laughing more. He has also figured out how to make noises with his slobber. He talks all the time to people, the TV and his toys.
Favorite Toys? He loves his little Baby Einstein stuffed animals, his swing, bouncy seat and play gym. He doesn't really like his Jumperoo all that much yet. I think it is overstimulating for him. He is really grabbing and holding his toys so well now!
Eating? 4oz every 2-3 hours still. Still working our way to every 3 hours.
What I am looking forward to? New Years at the Pethel's! Daniel's Baptism on January 17th, and his cousin Logan's arrival!
Milestones? At this point your baby might be able to razz, which is when they make a wet razzing noise. It is just another form of communication for your baby. Your baby's starting to draw conclusions about the world around him. He's looking at everything with curiosity, even his own reflection. Prop an unbreakable mirror next to him or sit him in front of your mirror when you're getting ready. Your baby won't realize that it's actually his image in the mirror (this usually begins to happen well into the second year), but that doesn't matter. He'll love to stare at his — or anyone else's — reflection, and he may show his delight by an all-out gum grin. Your baby may stop sucking his thumb or bottle to listen to your voice. By cooing or making noises at him, and by describing even the most mundane household chore, you're not only connecting with him but also encouraging him to express himself. Wait and see if he "answers." Your baby is becoming more animated and engaging (even with others) — flashing smiles, oohing, and cooing. And the fun has really begun as he's starting to laugh. When you're with friends, keep your baby nearby so he can hear the richness of human interaction. He'll enjoy watching the antics of other babies, toddlers, and pets, but keep up your guard: Neither he nor they know the rules of safe engagement just yet. Anything within your baby's reach is fair game now. While he's mastering his grabbing skills, give your baby interesting things to hold: lightweight rattles that are easy to grasp, a plastic or rubber ring to hold with both hands, squeaking toys, or soft stuffed animals. Your baby will start to favor one hand for a while and then switch to the other, but you can't really tell whether he's a lefty or a righty until he's about 2 or 3 years old.


Monday, December 28, 2009

Daniel's First Christmas

Well Christmas has come and gone to fast! It means so much more when you have a child at Christmastime. I was so excited to get things for him and to open his presents. I just know that every Christmas from here on out will just get more fun and meaningful. I love having my own family. I know this is cliche but, I never knew I could love someone/something so much until I met my son. It also increased the love and appreciation I have for his father.

Okay, Okay enough of the sappiness!
Daniel got so much stuff! He pretty much has a new wardrobe which is awesome! He got his first pair of Nike's, so cute! His big present from Santa was his Jumperoo. He also received lots of other toys, books etc. I am going to have to go buy a bookshelf to put stuff on. All 3 sets of Daniel's Aunts and Uncles gave him personalized gifts. John and Nicole gave him a canvas that hangs on the wall with his picture on it. Kayla and Andrew gave him a decorative plate with all of his birth information on it. Jess and Chris gave him a picture frame with his birth information on it and a picture from his birth. (naked and all) Anyways, he racked up on gifts!

Brian gave me a beautiful necklace with Daniel's birthstone (sapphire) and mine/Brian's birthstone (ruby) . It can have future birthstones added as well. It is my favorite gift.

Christmas was amazing!








Tuesday, December 22, 2009

14 weeks

How Old? 14 weeks
Weight? 11 pounds 6 ounces
Clothing? Same old 0-3 and 3 months
Sleep? Well it has been great up until last night. He was up every hour and all day he would only sleep if he was held...I hope tonight is better.
Best moment this week? Him smiling, talking and laughing with me from across the room. It is amazing how much more he can focus and communicate! He can also grab onto his toys and bat at things!
Sounds? Lots of laughing and talking.
Eating? 4oz every 2-3 hours still. Working our way to mostly every 3 hours.
What I am looking forward to? Christmas and his Baptism!
Milestones? By now, Baby may have graduated to short periods of contentment without you, giving you time to answer an email or fold a load of laundry while he coos in her crib. Sometime soon, take a moment to observe your baby from across the room. You might notice that he can kick his legs in order to whap! the mobile overhead. This action is the first sign of Baby learning cause and effect: "I can move my body to make the mobile dance. This is exciting!"

Monday, December 14, 2009

3 Months Old!

He is no longer a newborn, he is officially an infant!

How Old?
3 months (13 weeks)
Weight? 11 pounds
Clothing? 0-3 months and 3 months still. I think he will be in them until at least the end of the year.
Sleep? He still sleeps a lot during the day and is doing good at night. He has started fussing and fighting his sleep when he goes down for the night. Last night we just let him cry it out and it worked! It only took 5 minutes and he was out.
Best moment this week? Daniel having a conversation with me. Of course it is a lot of baby babble but he would talk and then I would talk. It just kept going back and forth and is so amazing. He is getting so smart. He has this blue hippo toy in the bath tub and last night I kept saying "Blue Hippo" and he would reply with something that sounded like "Blue"! It was awesome even if he did not mean to.
Sounds? "o", "a", "oo" vowel sounds pretty much
Eating? Today he ate 3-4 ounces every 2-2.5 hours. It works because he only has to eat once at night.
What I am looking forward to? Christmas and feeding him rice cereal!
Milestones? He may not get an actual diploma, but this month marks your baby's official graduation from newborn to infant status. One thing your 3 month old baby is definitely ready to do is show you his budding personality. He may be serious, silly, gregarious, persnickety, or determined — the bottom line is he is who he is and he's all yours! Now, besides the routine care and feeding of your little one, your job is also to stimulate his intellectual growth. That's less complicated than it sounds — singing and talking are two wonderful ways to help a baby's brain shift into high gear. At playtime, your baby's hands and fingers are still his favorite toys, but now he might be able to do more with them than just insert them in his mouth. During tummy time (which he should be becoming a pro at by now), try rolling a ball about two feet in front of him. With a little practice he'll soon be able to coordinate his hand and eye movements to reach for ito wonderful ways to help a baby's brain shift into high gear.

Monday, December 7, 2009

12 Weeks...So Big!


















How Old?
12 Weeks
Weight? 10lbs 14 oz
Clothing? 0-3 months and 3 months
Sleep? Is back on track! YAY He is getting up once during the night. He has started going to bed at around 7:30pm and getting up at 2 and 7.
Best moment this week? Daniel's visit with Santa! The pictures came out great!
Sounds? He is laughing and talking so much!
Eating? We decreased his intake to about 4 oz we are going to see if this helps with his reflux
What I am looking forward to? Still Christmas! I can't wait to see what Santa brings him : )
Milestones? Even though your baby has been able to recognize you since he was just a few days old, he may now be able to show it. About half of babies this age begin to exhibit an obvious recognition of their parents. Most likely he'll still smile at strangers, especially when they look him straight in the eye and coo or talk to him. But he's beginning to sort out who's who in his life, and he definitely prefers you, your partner, and a select few over others. Your baby may quiet down and make eye contact with you, or he may search for you in a room and move his arms in excitement or smile when he finds you. He may even find your scent calming and comforting. A big spurt is happening in your baby's brain development that coincides with significant behavioral changes. Your baby is more attuned to the outside world and more sensitive to changes in his environment. The part of the brain that governs hand-eye coordination and allows a baby to recognize objects is developing rapidly now. His hearing, language, and smell have also become more receptive and active. When your baby hears your voice these days, he may even look directly at you and start gurgling or trying to talk back.
Other notes? He is getting so big. He was kicking his little legs in the bathtub tonight and laughing when he splashed.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

11 Weeks...and smiling all the time!

How Old? 11 Weeks
Weight? probably close to 11 pounds
Clothing? 0-3 months and 3 months (yes there is a difference) Who would have thought that our little man who wore preemie clothes for a month would be caught up on the size for his age?
Sleep? Is all messed up! Got up at 12 and 4 last night! I hope we are not regressing.
Best moment this week? Daniel's first Thanksgiving and telling Santa what gifts he wants :)
Sounds? He is almost laughing! I have heard it a couple of times.
Eating? Up to about 5 oz every 3 to 4 hours most days. We still have days where he wants to eat every 2 hours
What I am looking forward to? Christmas! I know he is not big enough to remember it but I am still so excited to make it special for him.
Milestones? He's no Fred Astaire yet, but your little one's movements are getting a bit more coordinated. You'll notice that the jerky arm and leg movements of his newborn days have given way to smoother, more circular motions, especially when he's watching people. Give your baby enough space to stretch and move his arms and legs. Lay a blanket on the floor and let him move as he pleases. These movements can help your baby strengthen and tone his developing muscles. On his tummy, he'll start to push off with his legs — the first step in getting ready to crawl!
Other notes? He has thrush again so we are starting a new medicine. Hopefully it will work!


Monday, November 30, 2009

Daniel's First Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was by far the best one I have ever had. I have my husband, Brian, the love of my life and Daniel, my beautiful son. I am thankful for so many things: my family, my husband being able to provide for us, living close to our families once again and much much more. I am so glad that Daniel's first Thanksgiving was so full of love. Here is a glimpse of our Thanksgiving events.







First Photo Shoot

We had Davy Whitener take Daniel's 6 week pics. He is the same person we used for our wedding. They turned out great!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

10 Weeks!!!

How Old? 10 Weeks
Weight? Over 10lbs
Clothing? 0-3 months...I just packed away all of his preemie and most of his newborn clothes. I had to keep his superman onesie out, I don't have another one yet : (
Sleep? He slept 8 hours one night this week but got up at 1 and 4 last night! Not sure what is going on. Maybe another growth spurt? I hope he slows down, at this rate he will be 30lbs at a year old!
Best moment this week? Brian and I getting our new camera and getting some GREAT pictures of our little man.
Sounds? He is talking more. He makes all sorts of noises!
Eating? Still 4oz every 3 hours
What I am looking forward to? Thanksgiving and him meeting more family!
Milestones? At this age your baby is attuned to every expression you make and will try to copy you. He'll even "talk back" (in a nice way) by cooing to you. lay "copycat" with your baby. Make a big smile or stick out your tongue, then wait a minute or two for her to copy you. Enjoy this innocent mimicking, because in a few years, the not-so-innocent mimicking probably won't give you as much joy. Stimulate baby's senses by turning on your favorite music and taking him dancing. Hold him in your arms and sway softly with the music. (You two could totally compete on Dancing with the Stars!) Your baby might be rolling from back to side and side to back at this point. Take precautions not to leave him alone on a changing table or bed. He probably won't roll all the way over for a month or so yet, but better safe than sorry.
Other notes? We saw my cousins 2 week old baby and she weighs what Daniel did when he was born. It is weird to see a baby smaller than him! He looks so big!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

9 weeks!

How Old? 9 Weeks
Weight? 10lbs!!! He is so big
Clothing? It still depends. He can still wear newborn clothes that do not have feet in them. 0-3 months in sleepers.
Sleep? He has not been feeling very well. He has a cold and we had to take him to the doctor. He has been getting up every hour or so until last night. He seems to be back to his 9-4 sleeping period. I am not sure if that is considered sleeping through the night or not but it is pretty darn close!
Best moment this week?
Seeing how much Daniel smiles and talks. He has started doing it so much more in the last week.
Sounds? He makes all sorts of sounds and has more of a "complaining" noise instead of a cry when he wants something.
Eating? Since he has been sick, he has not been eating as much but normally 4 oz every 3 hours during the day.
What I am looking forward to? Daniel being able to play more. I know I should just enjoy him being so little but I want to be able to do more things with him.
Milestones? Your baby's salivary glands have been working since she was in utero, but you may notice that she's started to drool. She's also putting everything in her mouth and producing more saliva than she can swallow. f your baby's sleeping through the night (five or six hours at a stretch), you're one of the lucky few. Most 10-week-old babies still wake up in the middle of the night. But even babies who aren't sleeping through the night at this stage should be sleeping and staying awake for longer intervals instead of cycling back and forth so much. Your baby will most likely have two to four long sleep periods and as many as ten hours of awake time in 24 hours. Your baby is learning how to rock and roll — well, maybe just roll. At this age, she'll probably be able to move from her side to her back and her back to her side. The complete roll over won't come for another month or so, though, because she needs stronger neck and arm muscles for that maneuver. Your baby's increasing mobility means that you must keep a hand on her during diaper changes. Never leave your baby unattended on a bed or any other elevated surface now that she can move around.
Other notes? It breaks my heart to see him hurting and not know what is wrong or how to fix it.

Friday, November 13, 2009

2 month check up

Daniel had his 2 month check up yesterday. He weighed 9lbs 9oz and was 21.75 inches long. He has gained almost 4lbs and 3 inches since birth. He is growing so fast. Brian and I held his little hands while he got his shots. I was also holding Brian's hand. I think I was squeezing harder than Daniel was : (

He has not been acting like himself the last couple of days and we found out he has Thrush. We started him on some meds for it so hopefully he will feel better soon.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

8 Weeks

How Old? 8 Weeks
Weight? 9lbs 6oz (last week)
Clothing? He is still wearing the newborn clothes but they are getting snug. He is wearing the smaller 0-3's and just started the size 1 diapers today!!
Sleep? He is still doing well. He is really starting to sleep on a schedule. In the mornings he takes about a 45 minute nap around 8 or 9 and again around 10 or 11. He eats around 11:30 or 12, plays and then takes about a 2-3 hour nap. He dozes a little in the evening around 7 and then has bath time, eats and goes to bed around 8:30 or 9. He will then sleep until 3:30, eat and sleep until about 7.
Best moment this week?
Him talking and smiling so much more!
Sounds? He makes noises when he smiles and when I talk to him. It kind of sounds like "ah-ooo"
Eating? When he sleeps a lot at night (6-7 hours) he eats more during the day. On average 4oz every 2-3 hours
What I am looking forward to? Seeing how much he weighs at his 2 month appt next week.
Milestones? The ability to hold their head steady when being held upright. Smile on their own and in response to you or someone or something else they genuinely enjoy. Can consistently focus both eyes and track a moving object. Will actively seek out the source of new sound. Will make sounds other than crying.
Other notes?
Being a mom is nothing like I thought it would be. It is the best feeling to look at him and know we made such a perfect life.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

7 Weeks














How Old?
7 weeks 1 day
Weight? 8lbs 13oz at last check. I am guessing about 9.5lbs now. We will find out tomorrow.
Clothing? He is out of preemie and filling out the newborns pretty well. He has worn a couple of the smaller 0-3 months but will probably not be in them fully for another 2 weeks or so. He is also growing out of the newborn diapers. Size 1's here we come!
Sleep? He has been sleeping 5-6 hours at a time during the night, although last night he slept from 8:30 - 3:30! 7 hours! I got up and checked to make sure he was still breathing.
Best moment this week?
Starting him on Zantac and seeing how much it helped him...he is so much happier now.
Sounds? He is cooing and talking back sometimes when I am talking to him.
Eating? He is still a pig...eating 3-4 ounces every 2-3 hours during the day. I guess he has to make up for sleeping so long at night.
What I am looking forward to? Taking him to the doctor tomorrow to check out his ears (he has been rubbing them) and a rash on his face. I am also excited to see how much he weighs!
Milestones? Reaching out, Your baby's hands should be mostly open now — ready to reach out to the world. Learning begins now...You may notice short periods of time when your newborn is quiet and alert. This is prime time for learning: Your baby's brain will grow about 5 centimeters during his first three months! Use these calm intervals to get better acquainted with your baby — talk to him, sing to him, describe the pictures on the walls. He may not be able to add to your conversation just yet, but he's learning nonetheless. New textures for his hands to feel and new sights and sounds (all in moderation) are all learning opportunities. Even bath time becomes a laboratory for understanding life. Eyes can track objects, With both eyes now able to follow things consistently and well, your baby can track a moving object much better, something he may have been able to do for only brief periods since birth.
Other notes? He is an awesome little man. I love holding him and just talking to him like he knows what I am saying.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

6 weeks

Our little man is now 8 pounds 13 ounces and 20.5 inches. Looking at him it is hard to believe a lot of babies are this big at birth! Poor mommas! He is now sleeping so much better at night, 5-6 hour stretches. He has been really fussy and uncomfortable during the day so the doc is going to start him on Zantac. I just hope it helps. There is nothing worse for a mom that to feel helpless in making her baby feel better.

We are getting his pictures made on Saturday and I cannot wait. He is probably going to have to change clothes a couple of times and since it is Halloween he might just get one picture in his costume. Here are some pics I took on a dark sheet just playing around with my phone. I think they turned out great.

I love this little guy more than anything.


Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Growing so fast

I can't believe how much Daniel has changed over the few weeks he has been in this world. He went from 5lbs 10oz when we left the hospital to 7lbs 12oz at one month. His personality is starting to show. He has started smiling and cooing. Most shocking is that he is rolling over. One night I laid him on his back to go to sleep and he woke up on his stomach. He is so strong.

Mommy and Daddy are starting to figure things out too. I love watching Brian take care of him it is so sweet. There is nothing that can prepare you for this experience. It is exhausting, frustrating and the most wonderful thing I could have imagined.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

I can't believe it has been a month!

Well I know it has been a while. Daniel is a month old. He has gained about 2 pounds since he left the hospital! He is a little pig. It is an amazing feeling to be a mom. No matter how tired I am or how much he cries I can always smile when I look at him.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Daniel's Arrival

to continue where I left off... After they broke my water I really did not progress any further so they decided to start Pitocin. By about 6:30pm I was dilated to 5 but when the doctor checked me she said she thought she felt either fingers or toes instead of a head. She did an ultrasound and found out that Daniel was head down but he had his hands on his head. She tried to move his hands but had no luck. She told us that we needed to do a c-section. It was a little shocking. I was really scared but knew that I really had no choice. Daniel was born at 7:27 pm and weighed 5 pounds 15 ounces. He was 18 1/2 inches long and just perfect. We are so blessed.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Today Is The Day!

We came to the hospital last night with my contractions about 5-7 minutes apart. They gave us the option to go home and let everything progress. We decided to stay in the hospital. This morning they checked me and I had progressed a little. They decided to break my water at 8:30 am to help things get going. The doctor will be here in a minute to check and see how everything is going.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

38 Week Appointment

The appointment went well. I am now 2cm dilated and still 70% effaced. Everything looks good and if I make it until next week we will have another appointment on 9/15. Daniel's ultrasound went well and he is an estimated 6lbs 6oz and in the 20th percentile. He has some big cheeks and still really likes his hands and feet in front of his face. That was the last ultrasound we will have so the next time we see him will be in person! Here are some of the pictures we got. The first one is a picture of him looking at us and you can see his big cheek!






























Tuesday, September 8, 2009

38 Week Cartoon!

pregnancy cartoon

38 Weeks!

How Far Along? I am 38 weeks and 2 days
Total weight gain/loss? 33lbs
Maternity clothes? I am counting down the days until I get back into my normal clothes!
Sleep? I am not sleeping well at all! I finally fell asleep last night at 11pm and woke up at 3am. I could not go back to sleep until 5:30am. I have no idea what was going on.
Mood? I am in a pretty good mood, I think. I am sure I have my moments : )
Best moment this week?
Movement? He is still very active. I would not be surprised if mommy has some serious internal bruising. He really likes to stretch his foot out as far into my right side as possible. He is so accurate, hitting the exact same spot every time.
Food Cravings? Anything cold, cereal, sandwiches, ice cream, etc
What I miss? nothing really right now.
What I am looking forward to? Our ultrasound tomorrow to check on Daniel's growth and the appointment directly following. I want to see if I progressed! Even if it is just a little bit it is encouraging. Also, Friday is my last day at work! YAY
Milestones? As you know, you've arrived at the final leg of your pregnancy journey, and if you're still carrying your little love around, they've just about reached their birth weight (somewhere between 6 to 8 pounds is average depending on whether they're a boy or girl). There really isn't a lot to report on baby this week, so lets do a quick recount of where we're at: all internal organ systems are pretty much ready for the outside world, they've got their meconium stockpile building up (their first black baby poo), lots of healthy baby fat, a rapidly developing brain (that'll keep growing with them for years to come), and they've more or less reached official baby status-- all they need to do is "head out" and say hello to the rest of the world and especially their ready-to-pop momma.
Other notes? Brian painted my toenails for me last night and did a great job!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

37 Week Appointment

This appointment went so much better than last weeks! I am still dilated to 1 cm but am now 70% effaced, oh yeah! Daniel's heart rate is right where it should be and he is still very active. Next week we will have another ultrasound to make sure he is still growing properly and check to see that mommy is progressing. I can't believe we only have 19 days left until his due date. Mommy and Daddy are so excited to finally meet our little man.

Something For Daniel (and Daddy)

I ordered this monogrammed burp cloth for Daniel from a lady in New Orleans. I finally got it in the mail yesterday and I am so excited it turned out so nice!