Frustration

We had Aaron's two week doctor appt on Friday. Everything went well except he has not gained weight since we left the hospital. He is still 5 1/2 pounds. I knew he still looked small, but I didn't realize he wasn't growing. I've had to start supplementing him in addition to breastfeeding. I was really disappointed about having to do this because babies can become lazy and prefer the instant gratification of a bottle. The plan is to get a little fat on Aaron and then take away the supplementing and let him just nurse. I'm not too sure that's going to be the outcome. I've been in contact with the lactation specialist. Hopefully she can help me through this. I have a routine that I have to follow, and I've also started drinking raspberry leaf tea to boost my supply! Alex was a mostly a formula baby, and he's a pretty smart little cookie which helps ease my mind.

Tomorrow will be the first big test of my sanity. I will have no help this week! YIKES!!! I wouldn't be too worried if Alex hadn't come down with something. He's been running a temp of 102. This afternoon and evening have been terrible.

As far as Alex's interaction with Aaron....well, so far so good! There are times I can tell Alex feels a little left out....mostly when I'm nursing. He tries to be a very helpful big brother. I hope things continue to go well.

Aaron William

He's here!! Aaron William Frank was born Oct 28 at 11:11 am. We weighed in at 6lbs 1oz and was 18" long. It was so nice be able to see him for little bit before being taken to the nursery which was something I didn't have with Alex. The c-section went much better this time. I let Paul pick his name again. I didn't find out what his name was until I was in my room recovering. I had to ask "So, what's my son's name?" :) Aaron doesn't look much like Alex did. It appears that Aaron has more my face/head shape and maybe more of Paul's facial features. This is somewhat opposite of Alex.

We were only allowed to have immediate family members visit due to all the flu stuff. I knew this before going in and had been bummed. It actually turned out to be a wonderful thing. We got to have very intimate family bonding time which was priceless. Although, I wish Alex could have been there. It was hard not seeing him for 3 days.

We got to come home Saturday. We were late getting released due to my medical stuff, so Saturday was a whirlwind. Alex was asleep when we got home. He's always a bit cranky after waking up, so he wasn't as excited to see me as I was him. He took to Aaron right away. He's always wanting to hold Aaron and give him kisses. He loves pointing out his body parts, but he hasn't quite gotten the be gentle part down. We have to remind him and also that he can't carry Aaron around. Last night he told Aaron to hold his hand and walk with him to bed. It was so cute. We told him those were all things he'd have to teach Aaron as he got bigger.

Paul is home this week and it's flying by. :( I'm able to feed Aaron which is a new experience. Sleep deprivation hasn't set in yet, but last night was crazy. I'm hoping tonight is smoother. I seem to be much more emotional after this pregnancy. I cried most of Sunday and yesterday I cried just once. Paul keeps reassuring me that it's just all my hormones, and the emotions will even out soon. I seem to be missing the anticipation/euphoria of the birth and the days after Aaron was born. Plus, just thinking how quickly they grow up....you just can't get those days back, so I want to soak up every moment so I can remember those feelings 40 years from now! :) Paul tells me that growing up is what they are meant to do, but he understands for the most part. Thankfully he's very supportive and reassuring. We both just started laughing as I started bawling while cooking last night! Poor Alex gets a little confused when I cry. Paul tried explaining that sometimes people cry when they are happy. So, Alex asks me now " Momma cry...Momma happy????"

The BIG Day

Just got back from my ultrasound/appt. We are having the baby tomorrow!!!! I'm still a little shocked. The baby looks great this time, but my fluid is very low and the placenta is breaking down. My doc says with all my issues she couldn't have asked for a better pregnancy. Since I'm just past 37 weeks she says it time to roll.

Paul seemed a bit dazed when I told him. I'm hoping he made it back to work ok?!?!

I'll keep you posted!!!! :)

The last couple of weeks...

YUCK!!! That pretty much sums up what's been going on. It first started about two weeks ago with Alex getting sick. He never ran a fever, so I wasn't ever concerned about the flu or H1N1. He was very congested, sneezy and complained of itchy eyes...sounded like a cold to me. I figured I was doomed since he wanted to smother me in kisses ( you can't resist those no matter how sick he is), and he isn't able to blow his nose yet. About midway through the week my throat started getting itchy at night. For some reason, nothing really progressed...just a little congestion. Then Paul started the same thing, but he never got sick either. I thought we were in the clear.

Since everyone was feeling well, I decided to head up to Langdon for one last scrapbooking weekend on the 17th. That Friday night my throat started itching, and it was downhill from there. This past week wasn't too fun. I've been extremely congested in my chest and sinuses so sleeping has been a problem. My mom was worried about me being exhausted before the baby even getting here, so she came down to help me out on Thursday. It was a nice relief to have help with Alex. He didn't understand why I couldn't go full speed each day. Paul was busy all weekend, so I would have been flying solo. I can honestly say that today is the first day I feel better. Since I never ran a fever or had a sore throat, I knew that there wasn't much to be done. I just needed to wait.

In the mean time, Alex learned a very valuable yet costly lesson. After telling him over and over not to touch the stove, curiosity got the best of him. He sat most of the first half of his right hand on the burner. It was awful. His hand blistered immediately, and he was screaming in pain. Paul was running errands, so I called him to get home. Alex wouldn't go to anyone but me. We called ask a nurse for some help. I was ready to take him to the ER due to the incredible amount of pain he was in. Due to all the flu calls, it took almost 45 minutes to talk to a nurse. Two hours after the ordeal he would scream out in pain and tell me how it burned and was hot. Everyone was miserable and worried.

These were taken this afternoon

I've continued to keep his hand wrapped like a mummy in hopes of keeping the blisters from popping. He has been very good about the bandages and calls them his medicine. However, tonight the "big one" burst. This will make it easier for infection to set in. I slathered his sterile gauze in antibiotic ointment and re-wrapped him. I'm hoping for a speedy healing time. Although from what I've read, his degree of burns can take several weeks to heal. :(

In the middle of all of this, we found out that MeritCare put restrictions on visitation. Only immediate family members are allowed...and they must be 18 years or older. This means Alex will not get to come to the hospital when the baby is born. My mom, dad and Paul can visit. I certainly understand their concern, but it has kind of put a damper on my mood. I just hope everyone stays healthy. I would hate to not have Paul in the room with me. I'm not sure how we will handle company after we get home. There are just too many compromised or immature immune systems under this roof :)!

35 weeks

Today we had another ultrasound with a biophysical challenge. The baby appears to be doing great. Lots of movement, practicing breathing and growing like normal. The estimated weight is 5lbs 8 oz...this is +/- 13 oz. Even if you take a pound off, this baby is still bigger than Alex when he was born. I'm really hoping for a little roly poly chubber!

We finally got to see the baby in 3-D. It was really neat. However, the baby was covering it's face with both hands. The technician said at this point it's pretty rare to see that. Although I would have liked a better view of the face, it's kind of funny to see.

Alex Funnies

1. He likes speaking in third person
2. When he says "roni" for pepperoni, it sounds obscene
3. He always wants to wear yellow, orange or red
4. He enjoys feeding me my lunch....not so much fun for me
5. He is asking to use the potty sometimes which has now led to discussing anatomy. Someone is very curious about who has that part and how many! Thankfully it hasn't been brought up in public.
6. "I can't do it" or "I can do it" are common phrases heard around the house.
7. Trucks are intriguing....as are planes.
8. There are 10 steps in his bedtime ritual.
9. He can recognize a pizza box from a mile away.
10. We are told many things are yummy... although they are rarely eaten by the food critic.

Oct 5th

Hmmm.. something seems familiar about this day....not sure what??? Oh yes, according to the calendar it's our anniversary! Had I not looked at the calendar today, it would have slipped my mind. I ended up calling Paul around lunch to wish him a happy anniversary. He hadn't remembered either until he was on his way to work. I'm not sure if this is good or bad thing, but it is kind of funny. I guess it'll be a memorable 7th anniversary.

Today Alex and I made 4 dzn carmel rolls. I'm usually not that ambitious, but I had cream that was going to expire. Alex enjoyed tasting every individual ingredient: flour, baking pwd, salt, sugar, brown sugar. I did put my foot down on the raw egg and yeast. According to him, it's all yummy! :) I did catch him sneaking bites of dough. I can't imagine anything but the sugars tasting remotely yummy. His favorite part was sprinkling the dough with cinnamon/sugar.

I tend to be a messy cook...add him to the picture and the kitchen looked like a tornado blew through. Oh well, we both had fun and enjoyed the finished product.