Elliot is 3 Months Old!

Time is going by too fast. At three months, Elliot weighs 12 pounds, 5 ounces and is plotting like a full term 3 month old :). He is smiling socially now and is much more alert. He LOVES the bouncy seat, the gym, and now likes the swing.

Krewe of Cousins

I'm still here! Just being a bad blogger :) And I have some catching up to do. This year, Isaac and Elliot's cousins were here to visit for Mardi Gras again. It was so fun to see all five of them together! It was also the first time that Uncle C got to see Elliot. As usual, Summer and Isaac had the most fun together. And they all caught a lot of loot at the parades. Can't wait to see ya'll again!!

March For Babies 2013

Hi all! This year we decided to participate in the March of Dimes Walk. We wanted to help raise money that would go towards research for not only preventing premature births, but also caring for premature babies. We are so grateful that Elliot was so well for being born at 32 weeks. One main reason is because of the steroid shots I received a week prior to his birth...and that's just one example of how research can improve the outcome of premature birth.

We'd love if you can help Team Elliot! If you'd like to come walk with us or if you'd like to help sponsor our time, please visit our team page at http://www.marchforbabies.org/team/t2029794

Thank you!

Elliot is two months old!

Time is flying by with our new little one! And he is growing so fast. At 2 months, Elliot weighs 10 lbs 4 oz. He is still sleeping quite a bit but staying awake longer and longer. He loves his bouncy seat and likes to play under his gym. He is still not reaching for things and is still not smiling socially-although I am trying my best to make him smile. haha.

I have to admit, he has become quite the handful at night. I've had to go back to work and about a week before I did, he's decided that he won't sleep at night unless I'm holding or nursing him. It's quite a challenge. After trying lots of things, I've finally given up. So I hold him next to me on his back and/or nurse him. Last night, I was able to sleep in 3 hour increments...sadly, I was thankful for that! haha. Here's his two month pic and a comparison with his one month pic! Note the double chin :)

Welcome 2013

I know, it's a little late for a new year post. Oh well. I can't believe another year has gone by and while I'm feeling a little reflective, I figured I should reflect.

This year has been incredible. It's definitely had it's highs and lows and well, surprises! When this past year started out Andrew and I were thinking about buying a new house and then gave up thinking we should wait until we were more financially ready. We also started the new year not even discussing having a new baby yet. Instead, we planned on saving money and Andrew focused on getting through school. Little did we know that God had different plans for us.

Who knew that missing some birth control pills would change everything? HAHA. Elliot was a surprise for sure and we quickly made adjustments. We started looking for houses again and moved in October. If that wasn't a surprise for sure...who knew that we would finish the year with our little one at home already? After a "complicated" pregnancy and a NICU stay, we ended the year with our two little boys in our new house.

We are beyond blessed to have the year we've  had. Andrew is now working full time near our house and is going to school part time. We will be looking for another vehicle soon and will also be getting Isaac enrolled in kindergarten this year. My toddler became a little boy in a matter of what seems like minutes. I see him growing each day that goes by and he never ceases to amaze me.

Elliot is getting bigger by the minute as well. And as I get ready to head back to work, I am soaking up every minute.

Thank you for following our family on our journey. Hopefully we'll have another exciting year to share.

Six Week Checkup

Last week Elliot saw the pediatrician for his checkup. This will serve as his two month well baby...she wanted him to get his shots early and to check his weight. We knew he was gaining weight well, but we were surprised to hear that he was 8 lbs 5 oz!! What a chunk :) He's already doubled his birthweight. haha. When plotting preemies on the growth chart, you plot by adjusted age. And when you adjust his age, he technically wouldn't be born yet so instead we use a different growth chart called the Fenton growth chart. He would be 39 weeks gestation and that is what's used to plot on the charts. His wt/gestational age was between the 50th-90th percentile :).

He's just breastfeeding on demand so it's not like we're overfeeding or anything. And if you take a look at him, he looks like the weight gain is in his face (particularly the cheeks and chin) haha. He's nursing anywhere between every 1.5-3 hours and he is starting to stay awake for longer periods of time. He likes to sit in his bouncy sit while it vibrates and he even lays under his gym (although he's not reaching for anything). We can't quit get him to enjoy his swing though. And now that we got him his own little bath tub, he's starting to relax during his bath and maybe even enjoy it :). Normally around this time, babies start smiling socially but because he will be developmentally behind, he's not doing that yet. We can expect those developmental milestones based on when he should have been born (which was 2 days ago).

Please pray!

Just wanted to ask ya'll to please say a prayer for my little brother Sage. This is my brother with Down's Syndrome. He is currently in the hospital with aspiration pneumonia. They'll be giving him a feeding tube once his fever goes down and his white blood cells are looking better. Please pray that he heals well and that the doctors make all the right decisions for his care. Thank you!