Friday, July 29, 2011

15lbs and counting...

That's right, Lochlan is finally over 15 pounds! He's 15lbs, 4 1/2 ounces! 27 1/2 inches long and his noggin' is still 45cm....actually the first time the nursing student measured it, she said 42cm and I was like, are you sure he's lost 3cm, is that possible? So they remeasured and everything is still all there!

I was so very pleased to see that he was now over the 15 pound mark. And that he's grown almost an inch in a few weeks! Woo-hoo! And yet, he's still only about a pound for every month he's been in this world. So maybe we'll crack the 24 pound mark by the time he hits 2!!!

I have been going through his clothes again and trying to organize his drawers. The faster I put stuff in, the faster he pulls it out! Such a game to him. Hilarious! He gets so excited so I don't mind even though it's way more work for me.

I was looking at all the clothes and thinking, man, he's been wearing these for what seems like forever!! He's still in some 3-6months clothes. But we're slowly moving into the 6months stuff. I'm sort of ready to see a new wardrobe really. It's funny how when Abby was a baby, I couldn't keep her in one size - it seemed she'd always outgrow it before she wore it a few times. And it was sad to not see her in them anymore. With Lochlan, I'm so ready for some new stuff!! Although it will soon be fall so I will get my wish soon enough!

Lochlan is now cruising the furniture and I think I mentioned in an earlier post, crawling stairs. What a monkey! You can tell that he is just so proud of himself! (as are we!)

He's starting to form more sounds as well. And I firmly believe that he is saying "thank you". So cute. It's more like a "tank tu" but I'll take it and run with it! It's a start and I'm definitely encouraging it! He likes to lead a simon says type game too! Blake and Owen, my nephews were here yesterday and Lochlan loved getting them to follow his moves.
Check it out! So funny!



Loch had his special infant development clinic on Wednesday (that's why I know his specific weight and height gain) and they were more than pleased with his progress. The speech and language therapist kept saying "he's making great sounds." We are putting him on the waiting list for speech and language as a precaution since he is still considered 'at risk.' They will keep him there until he's 2 and then we'll re-evaluate.

The motor skills therapist was very pleased as well. He's doing everything she was looking for. She said that she has no concerns and that he seems to do things spontaneously so she doesn't see a need to have someone work with him to encourage him to try things.

So proud of our boy. A-MAZ-ING!

I spoke with Julie, the at home Infant Development therapist while we were there and we agreed that we would touch base in October but that she doesn't need to work one on one with him.

So his next doctor's appointment will be September 1st I believe for his 15 month shots (even though he'll be close to 16 months).

Abby has officially moved into the "why" stage. Wow. Fun! Everything is why? But it keeps going and going, so you end up in circles. She loves asking what peoples names are or their age, then it's always followed up with a "why?"....

Last weekend, we went camping with my family. We had a great time. We went tubing again but this time Abby was so not interested. I think she's scared of the water. Just the unknown. I understand. I think I was like her when I was younger too! But I was a bit disappointed cause I really wanted to go tubing with my girl! Maybe next time!

We wrapped up the weekend at my Grandma and Grandpa's farm. They passed many years ago but due to certain circumstances, it's been 9 years since we've been there. It was so great to see our cousins and Aunt & Uncle and to tour the farm. Rob has never been so it was neat to show him around and relive some great memories. And to show Abby & Lochlan as well. I think what I liked best was not only rekindling my friendship with my cousin Ann, but seeing Abby play in areas of the house and land, that I grew up and played in too. I remember balancing on the beams when I was her age, probably older too and it really gave me a moment.


The farm is for sale so we really wanted to go back there and tour around and smile and relive all those awesome memories. So glad we were able to do so and so very thankful. My heart was definitely full that day!

This past week has been pretty busy. I'm trying to job hunt as my mat leave is officially over. It's tough with it being just over a month before school starts up and the supply jobs kick in. I definitely need something to get us through so we can pay our bills! Good times! I finally finished my website for my home business, Sunsinger Creations. I do graphic design for invitations and save the dates, as well as videography for Love Story Videos, and also wedding photography. It's really an all in one for couples getting married or having an anniversary, or a baby. The only thing I haven't added is that I also do disc jockeying. Feel free to check out my website and spread the word!

www.sunsingercreations.com

Here are a few more videos from the past month I didn't get a chance to post. Some from Abby's birthday and the zoo and her cousin's horse show. Oh and Abby is big on playing with her dolls these days so enjoy a very cute video! I wish I had more time to post some of the pics. But Abby is up now from her nap and is ready to play!!











Sunday, July 17, 2011

Sad, yet exciting...exciting, yet sad!

*sigh*
My baby is growing up. Yes, I knew there would be a day when Lochlan no longer needed me to fulfill his nourishment requirements. I just didn't expect it so soon. And at his doing.

Pretty much every time I try to nurse him, he laughs at me and pushes me away. No kidding! It actually makes me sad. My micropreemie is growing up. After pumping for over 3 months while he was in the hospital, anxiously awaiting to nurse him, and finally after waiting about 2 months, it finally happening, my baby has decided that he can do things on his own now! He has finally had a lightbulb moment with the sippy cup and is much more interested in feeding and drinking all by himself. Mr. Independent.

Well okay then. I'm excited that he wants to and it will free up some time for me and make me more independent again but it also pulls a bit on my heart. I had read about how some or most preemies aren't able to nurse and to not get my hopes up and to expect to be bottle feeding or at least doing a combination of the two. And yet, Lochlan continued to defy the odds. He was such a "free champion" (I put that in there for you Danielle & Victor!) that he took to nursing early at 34 weeks! Usually they don't try until around a few weeks later when the sucking reflex kicks in. Not our boy!

I strongly believe that nursing him has given him more strength to fight off infections and to grow and develop and so many more benefits. He is amazing. Have I mentioned how much I love him?

My favourite boys!


We met with Dr. Moore last week and Lochlan is up to 14 pounds, and 11 ounces. He's 26 and 3/4 inches tall, and his head circumference is 45cm. He's a growing machine these days!!! He's touching the length curve and just below the weight curve. He's getting there!!! And that's even the chart for the very low birth weight babies! Maybe at this rate, we'll get to 20 pounds by Christmas! One can hope! (side note: he was 3 pounds, 11 ounces this time last year!)

He is so close to walking now. Starting to walk behind one of his toys as it pushes forward. And he's a stair climber now as well!!! Yikes! Still like lightning as he military crawls all over the place. Although he is starting to go up on his hands and knees a lot more frequently.

He also has started to say "mama", and even "dada" is being used a lot more in context lately. He likes to dance and clap and smile smile smile!

We took Abby and Lochlan to the zoo last Wednesday to celebrate Abigail's 3rd birthday. We had a great time. Was a little disappointed in the lack of animals and the crazy annoying layout but the kids enjoyed it for sure. We went to the Toronto Zoo thinking we'd like to see giraffes, and zebras, and elephants and lions, etc. We should have went to the smaller zoo in Bowmanville but fingers crossed next year we'll do that! It's apparently great for little kids. We shall see...

I'm actually starting to fall asleep. We've been cottaging this past week and Lochlan was up before 5:30 this morning. Argh! I'll have to blog about our adventures another time. (and Abby's birthday party) And I'll have to post picture too. I've set my iPod somewhere safe and of course am having a brain fart to where I put it. Hope I find it soon since I have my calendar and pics and videos I haven't uploaded yet on it.

Til next time,
Jenn

Friday, July 8, 2011

Let this be the start of something!

Please let us be on to something! Lochlan has been sleeping for almost 12 and a half hours straight. It's almost 8am. This is crazy. Crazy enjoyable!!! I think we really wore him out yesterday. We went to Sydenham lake and had a day of sunshine and fresh air. He napped a little but not nearly as much as if he was at home. There's definitely something to be said about getting outside. Love it!

Abby even had her first tubing experience. She loved it. I didn't get to see her because I stayed back and gave Lochlan his lunch. But she was hitting the waves (Aunt Chrissy was with her) and saying "woo-hoo Aunt Chrissy!" The only part she wasn't a fan of was when they slowed down and ended up tipping over into the lake. But she blames Uncle Brad cause he was driving the boat so Chrissy's off the hook! She's just not fond of getting her face wet. Even in the bathtub she always needs a towel to cover her eyes when we're washing her hair. And swimming too. Hoping she gets over it eventually.

I'll have to post pics and video of that adventure. It's on Mom and Dad's camera. I'll try to have it for next blog which hopefully won't be as long in between blogs.


Lochlan started pointing and also waving on July 1st. Sooo cute. Sometimes he's a cheeky monkey and won't wave on cue but he definitely knows it! He plays us for sure!

We had a great Canada Day. Our street has a block party every year. Last year Rob and I and Abby were invited even though we didn't move until July 31st. Rob's sister lives across the street from us. It was an awesome day! We invited some friends over as well. Water balloon toss which turned into a water fight, bbq, swimming, a few other games and activities, and then a campfire and fireworks! A great day! A great Abby quote was the highlight of my day I think. After talking so much about it being Canada's birthday and decorating a bit and of course having the party, Abby said: "Oh I can't wait to see Canada!" She thought Canada was going to walk through the door for their party!!! So cute!

Lochlan decided that he didn't want to go to sleep though. It was a bit of a nightmare really. Just wouldn't settle. It was very frustrating. He only wants to be held a certain way so you can even have him upright over your shoulder, only cradled on your left arm. You can't sit. Oh no, no sitting. You must stand up! So it took a really long time to settle him that night. I think it was after 11 before he finally fell asleep. Rob and I took turns comforting him. As a result I missed out on the fireworks which I heard were awesome. Or the "best home fireworks EVER!" Oh well, next year will be different.





Abby actually said "mom, do you have any bandages for my ears? The fireworks are too loud!" Love that girl!

Actually Lochlan had been having a hard time the past few weeks with bedtime. Sometimes he'd fall asleep on his own no problem but then would wake up about a half an hour later. And then take a few hours to settle back down again. It was awful. Happy to say the past few days have been much better. But our worst was Sunday night I think. It took 3 hours to get him to sleep. (And he was tired!) But it's been better. It was a half an hour the other day, then 15 mins, and last night it took only 4 mins!! We decided to do the controlled crying. I know some people don't agree but we needed to try something. So glad he's able to self soothe now. (Not the 3 hour night we weren't doing it - that's what made the decision for us to try the technique)

So I think it's helping with the overnight as well. That he's able to self soothe if he wakes up rather than needing to be nursed or rocked or whatever back to sleep. When Abby was a baby, she took to her Lion and cuddled him. Lochlan hasn't taken to anything. Gave up his soother a loooong time ago and isn't attached to a stuffed animal but not for the lack of trying. And isn't attached to a blanket either. Oh well. Nothing to break him from I suppose.

He has his next doctor's appointment on Monday with Dr. Moore his pediatrician. I'm anxious to see his weight and height and talk about a few things. I'm hoping we can ditch one of the cereal feedings and just give him toast or bread or something. And also see what she says about milk. He's sort of taking a sippy cup and will sometimes drink from a bottle. But it's not like he's drinking 5+ ounces in a sitting. More like an ounce or two. If that! So I want to make sure he's getting enough especially since I'm going back to work soon. EEK!

I'm starting to get in the mindset of going back to work. I think I'm ready but obviously if I had a choice, I'd love to stay home with my kids. But there are bills to be paid and perhaps a little sanity break needed as well!!!

Abby's birthday is next week. Can't believe she's going to be 3! We're planning on going to the zoo. Can't wait! And we'll have her kid party next weekend. So I need to plan that!

Okay well, I'm going to check on Lochlan since it's been almost 13 hours now that he's been sleeping. I'm starting to get a little antsy!

We are off to the park today. Should be another great day of sunshine and fresh air. Here's hoping he has another stellar sleep tonight.