Speech

I am glad we went the route we did. Our ENT's office sent the referral out yesterday for Bronson for Matthew. They called today and he goes on Wednesday for his evaluation. If we stuck with KRESA it would have been at least another month to two months. We'll keep you posted on what they say!

Here we go again...

Matthew using my pumping equipment on his belly button.

Matthew climbed in Andrew's crib and wanted to sleep with him for nap. It was really cute, but I wouldn't let him sleep in there. Someday though...

Matthew had a bad case of croup last week and while I was at the doctor's office I was told that he had fluid behind both ear drums, but it wasn't infected yet and to keep an eye on it. Matthew seemed to be doing good until late Saturday night into Sunday morning when he screamed for about four hours. He wasn't running a fever nor was he tugging at his ears (which he rarely gets either symptom anymore most likely because he is used to the pain) and finally went back to sleep. When he woke up Sunday morning his left cheek and ear were covered with dried blood and wax. His ear drum has ruptured. From what I am told when the pressure build up it is extremely painful, but once it ruptures the pain is relieved because the pressure is gone and the ear can drain.

I called his ENT on Monday and they could get him in on Tuesday. Sure enough both ears are full of fluid again, but the left one is slowly draining because of the rupture. Since this is his second infection in less than six weeks (he had another infection right before Andrew was born) it was decided that he will receive a second round of tubes. While they are in there, they are also going to remove his adenoids and most likely his tonsils too. We have to make the final say on the tonsils before the surgery, but are pretty sure we will take them too. He is a heavy mouth breather and a bit of a snorer and both should be helped by removing them. I also don't want to have to go back in a year and have them removed.

His surgery is scheduled for Friday, March 19th. Figures...it is the week I go back to work. We are on a cancellation list in hopes we can get him in earlier and while I am still on maternity leave. We also have gotten the ball rolling with speech and language services. We were going to go through KRESA, but based on his age he would fall between two services and the time it would take to get him in would be longer that we like. Luckily my insurance will cover speech and language services (should he quality...which he will) through Bronson Rehabilitation. My speech and language pathologist at school came from there a few years ago and speaks highly of them, so does our ENT. Once the referral goes through they can get him in. We are not sure if they are going to screen him before the surgery or wait until after he recovers.

Andrew is doing well and starting to eat and sleep more. Just last night we...I mean I... got six and a half hours in between feedings, which was nice. We are feeding him more from a bottle (about two a day) to get him used to it for daycare. He is getting better at pacing himself with the bottle. He was chugging it so fast that he would get horrible gas and be irritable until his next feeding. He is much better and will slow down when eating. I think he is growing; it is hard because I see him everyday. His cheeks are filling out just like Matthew's did and his eyes are lightening up to a bright blue too. We are now just waiting for that smile! You can see a few more pictures at our photo site.

One month old

Andrew is one month old today and boy has it flew on by. We are so busy with two kids that the days just seem to melt away. Andrew continues to be a good baby, very similar to Matthew. He is a pretty good sleeper at night, allowing for me to get about five hours between feedings during the night hours. He continues to eat about every three to four hours during the day. I am guessing he weighs at least eight pounds now and is starting to fill out his cheeks. I don't take him back to the doctor until he is two months old.

My maternity leave is over half over and I am ready to go back to work. I love spending my time with Andrew, but I don't have the reservations I did when I went back with Matthew. I know that Andrew will be in a loving home with Deah and in good care. I have my routine set at work for my pumping schedule. The second time around just seems to be more laid back and relaxed. Plus, the quicker I go back, the quicker I have a week off for Spring Break, then move into my new building and then have a nice summer with my boys.

Matthew is warming up to him daily and will hold him only if he is sitting in the middle of the Boppy pillow. Matthew also seems to enjoy all the new baby toys we have gotten out for Andrew, exploring them as a two year old would. He loves to lay on the floor with Andrew, especially during tummy time. He is learning how to be gentle with him too and understanding that Andrew can't quite wrestle with him yet. I've added new photos to the site, sorry for the delay! Click here to enjoy :)

Two Weeks Already!

I took Andrew to his two week check-up at the pediatrician and everything is going as it should. He is eating great and gained all his weight back. He also is sleeping on average five hours at a time at night, which is nice for us and pretty much the same as Matthew as an infant. Here are his measurements for two weeks:

Weight: 7 pounds even (5th percentile)
Height: 21 inches (50th percentile)
Head: 13 7/8 inches (25th percentile)

Matthew is getting used to having a brother in the house, though he is still pretty jealous and inquisitive of Andrew at the same time. He wants to be close to us, but gets upset when I feed Andrew. I don't know if he thinks Andrew is hurting me (which to be honest still hurts at the beginning) or if he is just curious. It is really a struggle when I am alone with Matthew and Andrew and there is nobody to give Matthew the attention he needs. We know this is a phase and will pass soon, it is just frustrating at times.

On the other hand, Matthew is pretty protective of his brother too. I took Matthew to Deah's yesterday so I could go to my doctor appointment and Andrew's appointment. When Deah took Andrew out of the car seat, Matthew didn't venture far and was very protective over Andrew. When some other kids came to see the baby, Matthew tried keeping them away from Deah. Last night after Matthew' bath, we gave Andrew a bath so that Matthew could help. Andrew pretty much screamed through the entire bath, but Matthew ran and got his pacifier for him to help calm him down. He also helped to rinse Andrew's hair with the wash bucket. It was all pretty cute.

I know we can handle these little bumps in the road. We are just so happy to know that we have two perfectly healthy boys and our family is now complete.