Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
New Pictures
Click the links below to see new pictures of Dylan.
Dylan Weeks 3-4: Erin & Mom's Visit
Dylan Weeks 3-4: Dad, Barb, Corey & Caitlin's Visit
Dylan Weeks 3-4: Erin & Mom's Visit
Dylan Weeks 3-4: Dad, Barb, Corey & Caitlin's Visit
Update On Dylan's Cold
Just wanted to let everyone know that we had another appointment with the doctor today and it looks like Dylan is on the road to recovery! YEA! His temperature is staying in the 99 degree range (not dangerous) and his ear infection seems to be on the way out. He still has a bad cough and runny nose- the doctor said that might take several more days to clear up. They started him on a 10 day cycle of antibiotics to clear the ear and upper respiratory infection.
Now the bad news... I think Dustin and I are coming down with the same virus. We both are really tired (more than just "having a newborn" tired) and have sore throats. Hopefully we can fight it off quickly. The most important thing is that Dylan is feeling better.
Now the bad news... I think Dustin and I are coming down with the same virus. We both are really tired (more than just "having a newborn" tired) and have sore throats. Hopefully we can fight it off quickly. The most important thing is that Dylan is feeling better.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Dylan's 1st Cold
This is a "first" we could have done without for a while, but unfortunately it came a little sooner than we would have liked. It started late Sunday night with a little cough, but quickly turned into turned into a full blown cold Monday. He had a bad cough, runny nose, crusty eyes, etc. So needless to say we ran to the doctor as soon as possible Monday morning. The doctor said he had the start of an ear infection and a cold. Unfortunately, she told us that there wasn't a lot we could do other than to get a humidifier to help his breathing and make sure he gets plenty of fluids. She told us to keep a close eye on him and check his temperature regularly- if his temp went over 100.3 we needed to bring him in immediately.
Unfortunately, yesterday morning his fever went to 100.7 so we brought him back to the doctor. After she checked him out, she advised us to go straight to the Emergency Room at Children's Hospital. Panic. Our pediatrician told us that it is usually nothing when infants get sick like this, but they don't like to take any chances. She ordered a full round of tests- x-rays, bloodwork, spinal tap, etc.
We arrived at Children's Hospital around noon. Dylan did great with all of the tests- he barely even cried. I think the whole thing was much harder on Dustin and I. The doctor and nurses told us we would most likely be admitted. They automatically admit all infants for 48 hours if ANY of the tests come back even the slightest bit abnormal. Thank goodness all the tests came back completely normal!!! They said the fever could be explained by the ear infection and told us they had no reason to think anything else was wrong. They gave him a round of antibiotics through an IV (watching the IV go in was the hardest part of the day) for the ear and upper respiratory infection. They also used a machine to clear his sinus cavity out twice. We were discharged around 6PM.
Since we have been home Dylan is doing much better. He's not fussy at all- just very very tired. He is breastfeeding again which is a HUGE relief! The last few days he just been too tired to breastfeed, which is so unlike him. We are also supplementing with formula to help him build up his strength again.
We had a follow-up appointment at the pediatrician's office today which went very well. His fever is down to 99.2. The ear infection is still in the early stages (glad we caught it early) so they gave him a shot with more antibiotics. We go back tomorrow for another follow-up. They will most likely start him on a 10-day cycle of oral antibiotics tomorrow if he continues to improve.
We still have no idea how he got sick. The doctor said he could have gotten it anywhere because it is most likely it is an air-born virus. Since birth we have been in out of the doctor's office so I have a feeling he picked it up there- even though we were religious about keeping him covered, nobody touching him, using hand sanitizer, etc. Just goes to show you can never be too careful!!
As scary as this whole process has been, we just feel so lucky that it isn't something more serious. We will keep everyone posted with updates. Thanks for all your love and support!
Unfortunately, yesterday morning his fever went to 100.7 so we brought him back to the doctor. After she checked him out, she advised us to go straight to the Emergency Room at Children's Hospital. Panic. Our pediatrician told us that it is usually nothing when infants get sick like this, but they don't like to take any chances. She ordered a full round of tests- x-rays, bloodwork, spinal tap, etc.
We arrived at Children's Hospital around noon. Dylan did great with all of the tests- he barely even cried. I think the whole thing was much harder on Dustin and I. The doctor and nurses told us we would most likely be admitted. They automatically admit all infants for 48 hours if ANY of the tests come back even the slightest bit abnormal. Thank goodness all the tests came back completely normal!!! They said the fever could be explained by the ear infection and told us they had no reason to think anything else was wrong. They gave him a round of antibiotics through an IV (watching the IV go in was the hardest part of the day) for the ear and upper respiratory infection. They also used a machine to clear his sinus cavity out twice. We were discharged around 6PM.
Since we have been home Dylan is doing much better. He's not fussy at all- just very very tired. He is breastfeeding again which is a HUGE relief! The last few days he just been too tired to breastfeed, which is so unlike him. We are also supplementing with formula to help him build up his strength again.
We had a follow-up appointment at the pediatrician's office today which went very well. His fever is down to 99.2. The ear infection is still in the early stages (glad we caught it early) so they gave him a shot with more antibiotics. We go back tomorrow for another follow-up. They will most likely start him on a 10-day cycle of oral antibiotics tomorrow if he continues to improve.
We still have no idea how he got sick. The doctor said he could have gotten it anywhere because it is most likely it is an air-born virus. Since birth we have been in out of the doctor's office so I have a feeling he picked it up there- even though we were religious about keeping him covered, nobody touching him, using hand sanitizer, etc. Just goes to show you can never be too careful!!
As scary as this whole process has been, we just feel so lucky that it isn't something more serious. We will keep everyone posted with updates. Thanks for all your love and support!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Family Appreciation Month
I hereby declare March "Family Appreciation Month".
My family has always been there for me, much like Dustin's. They were at every soccer game, every school play, every PTA meeting. They picked me up after every boo-boo when I was little and every broken heart when I was older. Every "first" I've ever had they have been right there... but nothing compares to the overwhelming love and support we've received from our family this month. I have new respect for my parents- a respect I don't think I could have understood, or appreciated, until I was a parent. Dustin and I were so blessed to be able to have so much family around this month.
My mom was able to stay with us for over a month. I don't know what I would have done without her. She entertained me and kept me from going stir-crazy when Dylan was 2 weeks late. She sat with me for hours at the doctor's office the week before the induction- I think we spent a total of 14 hours there the last week! She held my hand when I was in the worst labor pain I've ever felt, and kept me going when I wanted to give up. She waited on us hand and foot after Dylan was born- cooking, cleaning, shopping, changing diapers, doing laundry. She made Dustin and I feel at ease and allowed us to get some much needed sleep. She showed us how to do things only a mother would know, and built a bond with Dylan that only a grandmother could have. It was amazing seeing him with her. He would just stare at her face. He knew who she was and was instantly comforted whenever she held him.
My sister came about 2 weeks after Dylan was born. I'm sure mom was glad to have back-up! Erin has been spoiling Dylan since the day we found out we were pregnant, and it didn't stop when she got to CA. I'm sure she was tired after traveling on a business trip for 10 days before showing up for baby duty, but she didn't let it show. She would wake up early with me, help me nurse and then hold him for hours so I could go back to sleep. She helped mom prepare meals, change diapers, and straighten the house. I think I changed a total of 2 diapers the entire time mom and Erin were here!! Unfortunately Erin could only stay 4 days before having to go back to work. The day mom and Erin left I had a nurse come to the house to check on Dylan and the first thing she said was "Wow! I can tell you have had amazing support". Amazing support is an understatement! I can't even put into words how grateful Dustin and I are for all the help those first few weeks.
A few days after mom and Erin left our second support crew arrived. Dad, Barb, Corey & Caitlin flew in from North Carolina on the 27th. They literally just walked in the door and went to work right away making dinner. Seriously, do we have a great family or what?!? In less then 24 hours upon arrival they were cooking, grocery shopping, cleaning, etc. I put Barb in charge of helping me figure out how to use my new breast pump. Little did I know this was a job Dad was made for!! He jumped right in helping Barb. He read the instructions cover to cover, set everything up, boiled all of the parts, and even came up with a pumping strategy (after extensively doing some online research). After I pumped, he would even clean all of the parts and set it up for the next pump session. If being an Accountant doesn't work out, I think Dad could have a promising career as a Lactation Specialist!
I was amazed with how grown up Corey and Caitlin were this trip. My youngest sisters are turning into amazing young women! They were such great helpers with Dylan. They would feed him with a bottle, burp him, comfort him when he was crying, play with him, push the stroller, etc. Caitlin even walked him around all of San Elijo Hills in the Baby Bjorn during one of our walks! I'm still trying to figure out how she managed that for so long- I get tired after a few minutes!! Corey was the official "Fan Manager". She would entertain Dylan for hours by turning the ceiling fan off and on. Nothing amazes Dylan more than watching the ceiling fan stop and start. Being a Fan Manager is not an easy job, but someone had to it! Thanks girls for all your help!!
Last, but not least, Barb. Being a nurse and a mother, Barb was a tremendous asset!! With all of her experience she has a quiet confidence that made me feel at ease about everything. I was a little anxious (ok a lot anxious) about everything- breastfeeding, pumping, taking care of a newborn... it's a lot to take in all at once!!! She kept reassuring me that I was doing a great job and everything was going to be ok. Sometimes you just need that little bird in your ear telling you "everything's alright". Barb was that little bird, and so much more! She gave me confidence to get out of the house, made sure I was eating ok (I was so busy worrying about the baby I would forget to eat), cleaned the house for me, and did about a million other things. I hope I get that amazing ability some mothers have, like Barb, to multi-task like that while remaining so calm, comforting & loving!!
My family has always been there for me, much like Dustin's. They were at every soccer game, every school play, every PTA meeting. They picked me up after every boo-boo when I was little and every broken heart when I was older. Every "first" I've ever had they have been right there... but nothing compares to the overwhelming love and support we've received from our family this month. I have new respect for my parents- a respect I don't think I could have understood, or appreciated, until I was a parent. Dustin and I were so blessed to be able to have so much family around this month.
My mom was able to stay with us for over a month. I don't know what I would have done without her. She entertained me and kept me from going stir-crazy when Dylan was 2 weeks late. She sat with me for hours at the doctor's office the week before the induction- I think we spent a total of 14 hours there the last week! She held my hand when I was in the worst labor pain I've ever felt, and kept me going when I wanted to give up. She waited on us hand and foot after Dylan was born- cooking, cleaning, shopping, changing diapers, doing laundry. She made Dustin and I feel at ease and allowed us to get some much needed sleep. She showed us how to do things only a mother would know, and built a bond with Dylan that only a grandmother could have. It was amazing seeing him with her. He would just stare at her face. He knew who she was and was instantly comforted whenever she held him.
My sister came about 2 weeks after Dylan was born. I'm sure mom was glad to have back-up! Erin has been spoiling Dylan since the day we found out we were pregnant, and it didn't stop when she got to CA. I'm sure she was tired after traveling on a business trip for 10 days before showing up for baby duty, but she didn't let it show. She would wake up early with me, help me nurse and then hold him for hours so I could go back to sleep. She helped mom prepare meals, change diapers, and straighten the house. I think I changed a total of 2 diapers the entire time mom and Erin were here!! Unfortunately Erin could only stay 4 days before having to go back to work. The day mom and Erin left I had a nurse come to the house to check on Dylan and the first thing she said was "Wow! I can tell you have had amazing support". Amazing support is an understatement! I can't even put into words how grateful Dustin and I are for all the help those first few weeks.
A few days after mom and Erin left our second support crew arrived. Dad, Barb, Corey & Caitlin flew in from North Carolina on the 27th. They literally just walked in the door and went to work right away making dinner. Seriously, do we have a great family or what?!? In less then 24 hours upon arrival they were cooking, grocery shopping, cleaning, etc. I put Barb in charge of helping me figure out how to use my new breast pump. Little did I know this was a job Dad was made for!! He jumped right in helping Barb. He read the instructions cover to cover, set everything up, boiled all of the parts, and even came up with a pumping strategy (after extensively doing some online research). After I pumped, he would even clean all of the parts and set it up for the next pump session. If being an Accountant doesn't work out, I think Dad could have a promising career as a Lactation Specialist!
I was amazed with how grown up Corey and Caitlin were this trip. My youngest sisters are turning into amazing young women! They were such great helpers with Dylan. They would feed him with a bottle, burp him, comfort him when he was crying, play with him, push the stroller, etc. Caitlin even walked him around all of San Elijo Hills in the Baby Bjorn during one of our walks! I'm still trying to figure out how she managed that for so long- I get tired after a few minutes!! Corey was the official "Fan Manager". She would entertain Dylan for hours by turning the ceiling fan off and on. Nothing amazes Dylan more than watching the ceiling fan stop and start. Being a Fan Manager is not an easy job, but someone had to it! Thanks girls for all your help!!
Last, but not least, Barb. Being a nurse and a mother, Barb was a tremendous asset!! With all of her experience she has a quiet confidence that made me feel at ease about everything. I was a little anxious (ok a lot anxious) about everything- breastfeeding, pumping, taking care of a newborn... it's a lot to take in all at once!!! She kept reassuring me that I was doing a great job and everything was going to be ok. Sometimes you just need that little bird in your ear telling you "everything's alright". Barb was that little bird, and so much more! She gave me confidence to get out of the house, made sure I was eating ok (I was so busy worrying about the baby I would forget to eat), cleaned the house for me, and did about a million other things. I hope I get that amazing ability some mothers have, like Barb, to multi-task like that while remaining so calm, comforting & loving!!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
1 Month Old
Wow! 1 Month Old!! This is impossible to believe! I thought time went fast when I was pregnant... little did I know how fast time would disappear with a newborn!!
I had grand plans to celebrate Dylan's 1 month birthday- a little b-day party with a cake, everyone singing "Happy Birthday", one of the cute pictures with a sign saying "I'm 1 month old today". Ahh... it would have been great. Too bad I was too busy/tired to actually make it happen.
Here's a quick update on how our little man is doing. Dylan still has a little jaundice, but it is getting better everyday. The doctor expects it to be completely out of his system by the time he is 6-8 weeks. Although he has had it for a while, his levels never got too high to be dangerous. His weight gain has been a little slow (right now he's at 8 lbs 5 ounces) so I have starting pumping to get more milk. We are also supplementing with formula if he still seems hungry after nursing (only 2-4 ounces a day). Even though we've introduced a bottle, he's still breastfeeding great (knock on wood). At our last doctor appointment he gained 6 ounces- whooo hoo!!
He's sleeping great- sometimes a little too great. Night before last he slept 6 hours straight!! I woke up with rock hard boobs though... so I don't think we are going to let him go that long without nursing again. Don't get me wrong- not every night is a "good" night. Some nights, like last night, he just wants to nurse all night. Literally- all night, which means no sleep. He's not too fussy though (knock on wood) and when he is all is takes is a little booby to make him happy. Speaking of being happy... Dylan has started smiling!! It's soooo cute- he squints his eyes, wrinkles his nose, and then grins from ear to ear!
Other likes/dislikes: He loves riding in the car, but hates stoplights. He loves the sound of the hairdryer, but hates it when mom takes a shower (probably because that means no booby for at least 20 minutes). He loves stroller rides and his Baby Bjorn, although usually when he's not nursing I opt for a nap rather than a walk around the block. He loves his swing, but he's not a huge fan of Katie and Leila licking his toes while he's swinging. Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats the ceiling fan though. He could stare at this thing for hours!! He will be screaming like crazy... and when you show him the fan he instantly he stops crying and just stares lovingly at it. Dylan's first love is definitely fan. Wait, I take that back. First love is boobies, second is the fan. It's a close second though :-)
I had grand plans to celebrate Dylan's 1 month birthday- a little b-day party with a cake, everyone singing "Happy Birthday", one of the cute pictures with a sign saying "I'm 1 month old today". Ahh... it would have been great. Too bad I was too busy/tired to actually make it happen.
Here's a quick update on how our little man is doing. Dylan still has a little jaundice, but it is getting better everyday. The doctor expects it to be completely out of his system by the time he is 6-8 weeks. Although he has had it for a while, his levels never got too high to be dangerous. His weight gain has been a little slow (right now he's at 8 lbs 5 ounces) so I have starting pumping to get more milk. We are also supplementing with formula if he still seems hungry after nursing (only 2-4 ounces a day). Even though we've introduced a bottle, he's still breastfeeding great (knock on wood). At our last doctor appointment he gained 6 ounces- whooo hoo!!
He's sleeping great- sometimes a little too great. Night before last he slept 6 hours straight!! I woke up with rock hard boobs though... so I don't think we are going to let him go that long without nursing again. Don't get me wrong- not every night is a "good" night. Some nights, like last night, he just wants to nurse all night. Literally- all night, which means no sleep. He's not too fussy though (knock on wood) and when he is all is takes is a little booby to make him happy. Speaking of being happy... Dylan has started smiling!! It's soooo cute- he squints his eyes, wrinkles his nose, and then grins from ear to ear!
Other likes/dislikes: He loves riding in the car, but hates stoplights. He loves the sound of the hairdryer, but hates it when mom takes a shower (probably because that means no booby for at least 20 minutes). He loves stroller rides and his Baby Bjorn, although usually when he's not nursing I opt for a nap rather than a walk around the block. He loves his swing, but he's not a huge fan of Katie and Leila licking his toes while he's swinging. Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats the ceiling fan though. He could stare at this thing for hours!! He will be screaming like crazy... and when you show him the fan he instantly he stops crying and just stares lovingly at it. Dylan's first love is definitely fan. Wait, I take that back. First love is boobies, second is the fan. It's a close second though :-)
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