I have started to really focus on things today. I was fascinated by the shadows that the bars on the changing table made earlier today. I made happy baby noises and kicked my feet while staring at them.
Mama thinks my eyes are getting lighter, just a little. Daddy keeps telling her that it's far too early to tell anything yet. At least I've had them open for a while today. So much so that I got up this morning and did not want to settle down. Mama thinks that I'm going to be a very active child and wonders if training should have started weeks ago...
Monday, June 29, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
June 27 - One month old
My how time has gone--I have been growing because of all the lovely food that I have to eat. Mama is finally making some serious milk, and I've been getting some extra formula with it as well. My head is growing and my face is getting chubby--more like a baby and less like a monkey. I'm starting to outgrow some of my smaller outfits and I don't fit newborn diapers well any more.
I still make faces when I sleep (and sometimes when I am nursing) and I've started making what Daddy calls "happy baby noises" as well. I have definitely found my lungs, and when I'm working on an uncomfortable bubble I use them to become very loud. I've cried myself sick a couple of times which upset Mama.
I've started keeping my eyes open more often, and have focused on faces, and I followed Daddy's hand earlier yesterday. My eyes are still dark blue, but getting lighter and my hair is still dark brown but also getting lighter. My hair has not fallen out, but looks shorter because my head has grown a lot.
Last night Mama finally got my hand and footprints done in the baby book. I did not want to hold still for my hand prints, so they are a bit sloppy! But she assures me that I'll be able to look back at them and my hands will end up being *much* bigger!
Mama needs to get some pictures of me today so you can see how much I've changed. I get to spend today with Antema while my parents are at the Renaissance Festival (a treat from Grandpa Don.) But now it's time for me to get some *yawn* sleep.
I still make faces when I sleep (and sometimes when I am nursing) and I've started making what Daddy calls "happy baby noises" as well. I have definitely found my lungs, and when I'm working on an uncomfortable bubble I use them to become very loud. I've cried myself sick a couple of times which upset Mama.
I've started keeping my eyes open more often, and have focused on faces, and I followed Daddy's hand earlier yesterday. My eyes are still dark blue, but getting lighter and my hair is still dark brown but also getting lighter. My hair has not fallen out, but looks shorter because my head has grown a lot.
Last night Mama finally got my hand and footprints done in the baby book. I did not want to hold still for my hand prints, so they are a bit sloppy! But she assures me that I'll be able to look back at them and my hands will end up being *much* bigger!
Mama needs to get some pictures of me today so you can see how much I've changed. I get to spend today with Antema while my parents are at the Renaissance Festival (a treat from Grandpa Don.) But now it's time for me to get some *yawn* sleep.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Three and a half weeks
Mama has not had reliable internet, and won't for a while, so my blog posts will probably be even more sporadic than before. But I'm still here, and doing pretty well.
I like to spend most of my time sleeping, and I prefer that my demands for a clean diaper and for more food are met promptly. I have discovered that my lungs work, although Mama is not happy with me when I work myself into a state to where my nose runs. It then causes me to get clogged up and it sounds dreadful. I really tolerate most things well, but having my nose suctioned may be the exception.
I have started to make more "happy baby" noises that sound pretty random to my parents. I don't quite track with my eyes yet, although I've started to target when I hear someone talk. Not always--Grandma Betty wonders if I'm going to be a little stubborn like she says my Mama was at that age.
I still like to do my "long sleeping" during the afternoon rather than at night. Even a big meal and nice warm clothes on for bed have not kept me asleep for more than two hours at night. Daddy and Mama have gotten advice on how to change my schedule, but it hasn't worked yet.
My hair is changing as well. It's still dark brown (although Mama thinks it might be getting lighter with every bath) but not quite as soft these days. My eyes are still dark blue, and she's not sure what color they will be in the end. I still very much look like ME, rather than either of my parents.
One thing that does surprise people who meet me is that I like to arch my back and raise my head and seem pretty strong for my age. I also like being on my belly more than my back. I have moved from my back to my side, although rolling all the way over is still in the future. I still grasp fingers, which is handy when Mama needs to keep a hand out of the way.
Mama still likes to "pet" my hair, and I find it soothing. She kisses me a lot, too. Daddy sings to me, which makes Mama cry (Disclaimer--Mama cries at a lot of things these days!) and she tries to sing sometimes but doesn't always remember the words. Daddy keeps telling her that it doesn't matter that she can't carry a tune, and that I won't mind. But she forgets the words and starts crying, so she usually just kisses me and tells me that she loves me. I don't mind.
I like to spend most of my time sleeping, and I prefer that my demands for a clean diaper and for more food are met promptly. I have discovered that my lungs work, although Mama is not happy with me when I work myself into a state to where my nose runs. It then causes me to get clogged up and it sounds dreadful. I really tolerate most things well, but having my nose suctioned may be the exception.
I have started to make more "happy baby" noises that sound pretty random to my parents. I don't quite track with my eyes yet, although I've started to target when I hear someone talk. Not always--Grandma Betty wonders if I'm going to be a little stubborn like she says my Mama was at that age.
I still like to do my "long sleeping" during the afternoon rather than at night. Even a big meal and nice warm clothes on for bed have not kept me asleep for more than two hours at night. Daddy and Mama have gotten advice on how to change my schedule, but it hasn't worked yet.
My hair is changing as well. It's still dark brown (although Mama thinks it might be getting lighter with every bath) but not quite as soft these days. My eyes are still dark blue, and she's not sure what color they will be in the end. I still very much look like ME, rather than either of my parents.
One thing that does surprise people who meet me is that I like to arch my back and raise my head and seem pretty strong for my age. I also like being on my belly more than my back. I have moved from my back to my side, although rolling all the way over is still in the future. I still grasp fingers, which is handy when Mama needs to keep a hand out of the way.
Mama still likes to "pet" my hair, and I find it soothing. She kisses me a lot, too. Daddy sings to me, which makes Mama cry (Disclaimer--Mama cries at a lot of things these days!) and she tries to sing sometimes but doesn't always remember the words. Daddy keeps telling her that it doesn't matter that she can't carry a tune, and that I won't mind. But she forgets the words and starts crying, so she usually just kisses me and tells me that she loves me. I don't mind.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
June 12 - Professional Portraits from JC Penney
Great-Grandma from Montana came down to visit and we got pictures taken at JC Penney portrait studios. I still kept up my sleeping throughout the session until after the pictures were taken. Then I woke up.
Daddy said that he liked this one if Mama did--and she does.
I look pretty peaceful in this one
They had a bit of a struggle to keep my hands out of my face...
I have doggies on my feet, but you can't see them terribly well.
I did some more sleeping for my pictures.
Mama, Daddy and ME.
Four generations on Daddy's side of the family--William O'Keefe, Ruth Bissett, (Antema) Barbara Treasure and ME.
Grandpa Don, Daddy and I.
This is our other family portrait and Mama thinks that I should be closer to my parent's faces.
(All pictures copyrighted to JC Penney portrait studio and low quality images only are available for electronic sharing.)
Daddy said that he liked this one if Mama did--and she does.
I look pretty peaceful in this one
They had a bit of a struggle to keep my hands out of my face...
I have doggies on my feet, but you can't see them terribly well.
I did some more sleeping for my pictures.
Mama, Daddy and ME.
Four generations on Daddy's side of the family--William O'Keefe, Ruth Bissett, (Antema) Barbara Treasure and ME.
Grandpa Don, Daddy and I.
This is our other family portrait and Mama thinks that I should be closer to my parent's faces.
(All pictures copyrighted to JC Penney portrait studio and low quality images only are available for electronic sharing.)
Beyond Hyperwobble--Mama's commentary
Russell is too young to describe all the events (which thankfully he's sleeping through) so I'm going to try to do this update myself.
The good news--I'm on my road to recovery. The low fat diet combined with breast feeding (and pumping) has me at ten pounds less than my weight when I got pregnant. (I am *so* bloated in the pictures that were just posted!!!) I'm off pain killers now and just have some muscle pain that is mostly bearable.
Russell had another doctor visit yesterday and he is up to 7 pounds 9 ounces! He continues to eat well and be a very simple baby. He fusses when he needs something and is very pleasant if those needs are met. Of course he does tend to stay asleep if not roused, but we're seeing his eyes a bit more often.
My milk, such as it is, has arrived finally. Russell is a very lethargic nurser--don't get me wrong he likes the portable lactation station very well, but it tends to soothe him back to sleep. It can easily take an hour to get him fed, and I'm not ever sure how much nutrition he's actually consuming. Then he sleeps for maybe an hour and wants more food. We are still working out the best strategy to maximize my production and try to maximize our sleep. At the moment, his night and day are switched, so he's up frequently at night and sleeping well during the day. That needs to get changed for our sakes!
We are still supplementing with formula to make sure that he's getting enough to eat. It appears that he is gaining weight well, so we can't be too far wrong.
***
The bad and ugly:
On Tuesday evening, Connor took Bill's set of keys my car and left with the Mazda. Neither he nor it have been seen or heard from since. This has sent my stress level through the roof, and I think I passed hyperwobble and am now in numbness.
Coming on top of everything else, my coping mechanisms are failing completely. So if I'm not motivated to do much, please understand that I'm over my limit. Most of you know that I am a chronic worrier, and I literally have too many things to worry about at once. Not much is getting done right now without a lot of effort.
So I'm focusing on Russell, and trying to take care of myself physically.
Regan
The good news--I'm on my road to recovery. The low fat diet combined with breast feeding (and pumping) has me at ten pounds less than my weight when I got pregnant. (I am *so* bloated in the pictures that were just posted!!!) I'm off pain killers now and just have some muscle pain that is mostly bearable.
Russell had another doctor visit yesterday and he is up to 7 pounds 9 ounces! He continues to eat well and be a very simple baby. He fusses when he needs something and is very pleasant if those needs are met. Of course he does tend to stay asleep if not roused, but we're seeing his eyes a bit more often.
My milk, such as it is, has arrived finally. Russell is a very lethargic nurser--don't get me wrong he likes the portable lactation station very well, but it tends to soothe him back to sleep. It can easily take an hour to get him fed, and I'm not ever sure how much nutrition he's actually consuming. Then he sleeps for maybe an hour and wants more food. We are still working out the best strategy to maximize my production and try to maximize our sleep. At the moment, his night and day are switched, so he's up frequently at night and sleeping well during the day. That needs to get changed for our sakes!
We are still supplementing with formula to make sure that he's getting enough to eat. It appears that he is gaining weight well, so we can't be too far wrong.
***
The bad and ugly:
On Tuesday evening, Connor took Bill's set of keys my car and left with the Mazda. Neither he nor it have been seen or heard from since. This has sent my stress level through the roof, and I think I passed hyperwobble and am now in numbness.
Coming on top of everything else, my coping mechanisms are failing completely. So if I'm not motivated to do much, please understand that I'm over my limit. Most of you know that I am a chronic worrier, and I literally have too many things to worry about at once. Not much is getting done right now without a lot of effort.
So I'm focusing on Russell, and trying to take care of myself physically.
Regan
June 13 - Overdue Pictures--still in hospital
I slept a lot my first day. I'm about 24 hours old at this point.
Proud Mama and sleeping Russell.
Daddy and I are resting. I really like to be held.
Proud Mama and sleeping Russell.
Daddy and I are resting. I really like to be held.
June 13 - Overdue Pictures--after going home
Here are pictures that have been taken since we've been home from the hospital. I've been a bit of a busy boy.
I got a clean bill of health at my first doctor's visit. Our nurse practitioner Lona Jacob poses with me at the end. I'm five days old here.
Four generations on Mama's side of the family--Great Grandma Wilmajean Coate, ME, Mama Regan O'Keefe and Grandma Betty Mesch.
Here's Grandma Betty with me and my cousin, Nicole. Nicole is 12 and is Uncle Kevin's daughter.
Our first family portrait. I'm six days old here.
Sometimes I even open my eyes--but not often.
I make faces while I rest--and Mama is trying to get pictures of some of the different ones. This scowly face was the only one that actually got caught on camera so far.
Mama calls me her "Little Rascal" sometimes, and I do a pretty good impression of Alfalfa. (You might have to look closely because the background was dark)
Yesterday morning Daddy and I were sleeping--in "bookend" positions but Mama accidentally woke Daddy up trying to get a bit more light so he moved his head.
Anne Geddes, eat your heart out! Taken at my first doctor visit when I was 5 days old.
I got a clean bill of health at my first doctor's visit. Our nurse practitioner Lona Jacob poses with me at the end. I'm five days old here.
Four generations on Mama's side of the family--Great Grandma Wilmajean Coate, ME, Mama Regan O'Keefe and Grandma Betty Mesch.
Here's Grandma Betty with me and my cousin, Nicole. Nicole is 12 and is Uncle Kevin's daughter.
Our first family portrait. I'm six days old here.
Sometimes I even open my eyes--but not often.
I make faces while I rest--and Mama is trying to get pictures of some of the different ones. This scowly face was the only one that actually got caught on camera so far.
Mama calls me her "Little Rascal" sometimes, and I do a pretty good impression of Alfalfa. (You might have to look closely because the background was dark)
Yesterday morning Daddy and I were sleeping--in "bookend" positions but Mama accidentally woke Daddy up trying to get a bit more light so he moved his head.
Anne Geddes, eat your heart out! Taken at my first doctor visit when I was 5 days old.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
The Gall of it All
Sorry for the lack of updates, but Mama has not been feeling well. I am fine and spending lots of time with my grandmothers. Grandma Betty came up for a few days to take care of us, and I'm currently with Antema.
We were able to go home on Saturday in the evening. Mama was not making enough breast milk to support me. Once we figured this out and got some stored breast milk, I stopped losing weight so rapidly and they allowed me to go home. I am still getting supplemented with formula mixed with Mama's milk.
On Sunday evening, Mama began to suffer from a sharp pain under her right ribs. I had my first Doctor's appointment on Monday and Lona (the Nurse Practitioner Mama's been seeing for a while) drew some blood. I was healthy, Mama was not. The pain continued to intensify and on Tuesday Mama finally admitted that she could not take it any more.
So I went to visit Antema and Mama went to the Hospital closer to our home.
They found that Mama had gall bladder stones and that it was probably causing the pain. She also had an elevated white blood cell count consistent with an infection. So she ended up having to stay in the hospital, with IV antibiotics and several imaging studies. The nuclear scan showed that the gall bladder is functioning normally, and some bouts of pain might mean that the stone was finally passed, so she did not need emergency surgeries. (Mama was quite sure that she was not up to two surgeries in a week!)
She should be released to go home tomorrow and we will be reunited. We miss each other a lot!
We were able to go home on Saturday in the evening. Mama was not making enough breast milk to support me. Once we figured this out and got some stored breast milk, I stopped losing weight so rapidly and they allowed me to go home. I am still getting supplemented with formula mixed with Mama's milk.
On Sunday evening, Mama began to suffer from a sharp pain under her right ribs. I had my first Doctor's appointment on Monday and Lona (the Nurse Practitioner Mama's been seeing for a while) drew some blood. I was healthy, Mama was not. The pain continued to intensify and on Tuesday Mama finally admitted that she could not take it any more.
So I went to visit Antema and Mama went to the Hospital closer to our home.
They found that Mama had gall bladder stones and that it was probably causing the pain. She also had an elevated white blood cell count consistent with an infection. So she ended up having to stay in the hospital, with IV antibiotics and several imaging studies. The nuclear scan showed that the gall bladder is functioning normally, and some bouts of pain might mean that the stone was finally passed, so she did not need emergency surgeries. (Mama was quite sure that she was not up to two surgeries in a week!)
She should be released to go home tomorrow and we will be reunited. We miss each other a lot!
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