Sunday, January 31, 2010

And he Sleeps!!

Good morning everyone!  Last night was without question one of Edward's best nights.  We've really been struggling with his night times, and on the advice of my doctor, we picked up a book to help us out.  The book is really a combination of feeding scheduling and the flexibility of making sure he's never hungry.  It involves just a little bit of "cry it out", in that we need to make sure we let him attempt to soothe himself rather than just jumping to the rescue the instant he makes a noise.  It also makes a huge point that I should not, under any circumstances, let Edward fall asleep nursing.

We semi followed the directions, and added a bit of our own thoughts and ideas into it.  The end result was a good day with an Edward who was largely content, and a marvelous night where he woke up only once, ate and went back to sleep.  He also slept in his room for the first night since he came home, as opposed to the living room.  I got to sleep in the same bed with Kasey rather than he and I just passing in the night.  It was a success for all involved.

Now I know not all nights are good ones and one good night doesn't mean they will all be from here on out, but it sure was nice to have a good one. :)

Thursday, January 28, 2010

He's smiling

Kasey gave me a hard time tonight because it's been a week since I posted an update.  I told him I needed an update to post, and now I have one.

I got some great pictures tonight of Edward's newest trick.  He's started smiling.  Not just the random smiles of gas relief, but smiling in reaction to something.  Granted, it's mostly in reaction to having his chin tickled, but I'll take it. :)

Isn't that a fun smile?  Just makes me happy to see it. He makes sweet cooing noises when you tickle his chin, which makes it even more fun.









And in this one, we get a smile and we get a good shot of his eyes open.  He loves to be held, so being on my lap and having his chin tickled is about as good as it gets . . . ok, unless you count eating, which is his favorite pastime.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

When it rains . . .

So today was my first day back to work.  That also means it was Kasey's first day of getting Andrew to and from school with Edward.  And, as luck would have it, today was a massive rain storm, and tomorrow is supposed to be just as bad.

Waiting for the bus in the rain was an adventure, or so I'm told (I was in my office, blissfully unaware of the issues).  Luckily they can do most of the waiting in the garage, and without the car in there, Kasey could even push the stroller enough to lull Edward to sleep.  However, the bus drove by since there was no one outside.  This stressed Andrew out, so he went out to the sidewalk (and the rain) to wait for the bus to come back (which it did, because Kasey has the bus barn phone number programmed into his cell.  Do I have a brilliant hubby or what?).

The walk home wasn't something Kasey was even willing to attempt to navigate, so uncle Randy was called to provide a much needed ride from the school.  Grandpa is on schedule for tomorrow, since uncle Randy will be in class. 

I'm told Edward missed mommy today, and he's sleeping well enough in my arms tonight that I think I believe it.  I think Kasey missed me too. :)  Winning the lottery is sounding better and better. :)

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Andrew likes Edward

This had to be one of our biggest concerns with having another child. With Andrew and his Autism, we just didn't know how he was going to handle an infant, the crying an infant does, or anything else related to having a new baby brother in the house.

Since we came home, Andrew has seemed to do a pretty good job. He doesn't get too upset when Edward cries. In fact, it often makes him start to laugh. He makes frequent trips to look at Edward and leans his head down close to him as though to give him a hug on frequent occasions. He includes Edward in discussion when we talk about going places. He even wants to hold Edward - ironically enough when Edward is fussing or starting to cry. He only rarely asks us to put Edward down, and when he does, we try to comply with that request. But yesterday was the best indication of how Andrew feels about Edward.

Andrew has been sick, and Wednesday was his first day back to school this week. It was also a short day of school, so Kasey decided to let Andrew have a break and go pick him up without Edward. This was apparently a VERY bad idea. Andrew took one look at Kasey without the stroller and got very upset. It took some time to figure out why he was so upset, but when we finally got it out of him, he was upset because Kasey didn't bring Edward to the school so they could walk home together.


So today, the rest of the week, and according to Andrew, for the foreseeable future, Kasey, Andrew, and Edward will all be coming home from school together. :)

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Edward is 50%

We had Edward's one month checkup today.  The did all the measurements and checked him out from head to toe.  Thankfully no shots today, which Kasey was grateful for. :)  According to the Doctor, Edward is officially average - in the 50% range in all categories:

11 pounds, 12 ounces
22 inches in length
44 cm head circumference

And, of course, I had to take pictures to commemorate the occasion of being 1 month old. :)


Aren't we adorable? :) 



and tired . . very tired.  Going to the doctor is wearing business!

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

I'm a trendsetter!!

I'm part of a family that has some interesting age situations.  I'm 11 years younger than my husband, who is the youngest boy in his family.  Because of that, he has nephews who are younger than me, but not by a whole lot.  One of his nephews (Josh) is recently married and expecting their first child.  We discuss how ironic it is that my son (who is not yet 5 weeks old) is the cousin to someone who is expecting their first child just a few months from now.

In a family as into homemade items as this one, there are lots of great ideas floating around.  Since I'm having the first little baby in a while, I get the benefit of a lot of them . . . . the handcrafted burp cloths, the wonderful nursing cover (which I just got today, thanks Kim!!), the handmade and customized diaper bag . . . the list seems to go on and on. :)

Josh was over at our house today helping us do some rearranging and playing on the Wii.  I shared with him some of the wonderful items that his Aunt Kim made for us, and he kept commenting he wants one.  He finally said he wants everything he's seen today that his aunt made for us. :)  I don't blame him, they are really cool items!!  In case you're reading and curious Kim, "everything" means a nursing cover, bassinet sheets, burp cloths and the adjustable sling we described to him that you haven't actually made yet! :)

I'll post a picture of Edward, the nursing blanket and I as soon as Kasey gets back and I can make him take a picture. :)

Monday, January 11, 2010

And the house gets crazier

We had planned for this week to be a relaxing, catch up on cleaning and rest type of week, with a little bit of getting Edward used to his own bedroom thrown in.  We didn't expect to find ourselves with an Andrew who is under the weather.  Poor Andrew was tired all day yesterday and most of Saturday.  He went to bed at about 6 last night and passed out. 

Today his breathing sounded ragged, so off to the Urgent Care we went.  He has some ear issues that the doctor says is likely the result of an upper respiratory infection that traveled to his ears, and she said his throat looks to be mostly post nasal drip.  So we came home with an antibiotic and instructions to use Claritin for his nasal issues.  Nothing like having to make a schedule for Andrew's medicine. :)  But the rest and the meds seem to be helping him, so we're happy about that.  The re-arranging of the house and rest will just have to wait for another day. :)

On another note, check out the wonderful Nursing Cover that Kim made for me.  It's Mickey Mouse!!

Nursing Cover from Kim

Friday, January 8, 2010

Two nights in a row!!!

Horray!  We've had two good sleeping nights in a row.  Now don't get me wrong, Edward isn't sleeping through the night or anything, but he's sleeping AT night, and not screaming during the night.  He's also sleeping for decent time-frames at night.  We're both much more coherent than we've been in the last few weeks. :)

In other news, Andrew still likes his little brother, though he thinks when mom goes back to work Edward is all done.  :)  Kasey took Edward to the school on Wednesday and they all three walked home together.  Edward enjoys the stroller, and Andrew got to show off his little brother.  They are all going to walk home today again.

Last night, Andrew did the funniest thing during his bedtime routine.  I was trying to get Edward to burp, and Andrew burped and then laid his head on Kasey's shoulder to "sleep" like Edward does after he burps.  It was totally sweet. :)

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Another country fan in the making

So our efforts to help Edward sleep with noise have succeeded . . . way too well. :)  We know our house isn't quiet at the right times, so we decided to focus on having Edward out near the action so he could get used to sleeping with the noise.  Now he can't sleep in the silence. . . LOL.

Last night we left one of the music stations on in the living room to help him sleep, and he didn't seem to like it much at all.  If anything, he slept worse . . . we're blaming that on the music and not the fact that I had Pasta Fagoli and the beans kept him up. :)

So this morning he's asleep in our room with a country music station on, and he's sleeping like a champ!  Another country fan has been created. :)



Oh, and another picture update.  Kasey's sister Shawna holding Edward.  They bonded. :)

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Added a section - what we'd like

At the request of my sister-in-law, I've added a section on the side of things we'd like related to Edward.  Most things on the list are things that can be sewn or made, because Kim sews (she's amazing at it!) and if she wants ideas on stuff to make for us, I'm going to do what I can to give them to her. :)

Speaking of Kim, I want to share a few pictures of things she's made so far.  She was in town this week, and brought me "sheets" for the bassinet, along with matching burp cloths.  The burp cloths match, she tells me, because it was a nice amount of fabric left over after she made the sheets, and her daughter Mary pointed out that I was using plain white cloths for burp rags and we should have something more fun.  Thanks Mary!!

Kim has an etsy site, where she sells some items she makes.  She'd love for you to take a look, and hey, if I can't use my blog to shamelessly promote my family's businesses, what good is it, right? :)  CraftsbyKimberlie

This is one sheet and one burp cloth.  The sheet is so simple, it is more like a pillowcase, but it has a velcro closure.  Not only does it fit well, but on the thin bassinet mattress it doesn't bunch up, and it's so easy to get on and off.


Here are two of the burp cloths folded over like they would be on the shoulder.  Aren't they cute??


And of course, one of the coolest things Kim has made for us - the wolf diaper bag.  She made this using a t-shirt of Kasey's that had holes in it, so he couldn't wear it anymore.  So not only is it gorgeous, but it's made from recycled materials! :)

Sunday, January 3, 2010

A really good night!

We had a great night at our house!!  Edward only woke up 3 times, and each time he ate and went right back to sleep.  So I was up at 12 and 2:30, and Kasey was up with him at 4.  He slept well, and had very little fussy time during the night!  We're all much more awake here this morning, including Edward. :)

Just had to share our success.  Oh, and here's another picture. :)


Friday, January 1, 2010

It's Colic!

So I have read in a few places that colic is defined as crying that lasts 3 or more hours a day, 3 or more days a week.  I shared that with Kasey, and his comment was "Well, it's definitely colic then."  This will be the first time I've had to deal with colic much, and it's definitely trying.  Mostly it's just sad, because Edward looks so miserable as he cries and fusses. 

We're trying a couple of things to help with it, and having some success.  The one with the most success is called Gripe Water, and it really seems to help settle his stomach and help him to sleep.  And, unfortunately for Edward, sometimes we just have to let him cry a little bit. :(

Everything I read says most colic settles down around 3 months.  I hope for the little guy's sake that it does.