Mud bath

Here's what happens when Ted takes Pili hiking...
I don't know if I'll ever let him take Jacob!

So cute!

Doctor Visit

I called the doctor's office yesterday since Jacob still has a stuffy nose... it's been 2 weeks... and he needs the rest of his 2 month old shots. The nurse thought Dr. Wood should see him...

Our big boy is up to 12 pounds 10 ounces! Dr. Wood was thrilled with his weight gain and how healthy he appears, despite the stuffy nose. He was very alert while we were there, checking out the doctor and the med student that was with him. It was really cute. So Dr. Wood thought it was fine to get the rest of his shots and we'll re-check his neutrophil count the second week of June. He got two shots (SO SAD!) and one drinkable one by mouth. I just can't stand it when someone hurts my baby and makes him cry!

My mom just told me about a numbing cream that you can get by prescription to use before blood draws and shots. You just rub it on the spot 30 minutes prior and ta-dah! no pain for the little one! Why don't they tell moms about this and use it on babies?! They shouldn't be hurt if its not necessary. Needless to say I'll be calling the doctor about this. Thanks, Mom!

Roll Over!

My baby rolled over on his own Friday while my mom and I sat on the floor playing with him! Jacob was on his tummy and rolled to his back. I couldn't believe it! Now if he could just start sleeping longer at night. :-)

Does any one know why babies spit up with one feeding, sometimes a lot, and other times don"t spit up at all? I can"t figure out what I'm doing differently and its driving me nuts!

And what happened to the beautiful weather we were supposed to have this weekend?! The 80 degree days we just had were so nice. I'm dreaming of Maui days!

12 pounds +/-

Jacob and I went up to see Ted at work today. We weighed him on the UPS scale... 12 pounds .5 ounces with his clothes on! So give him another day and he'll be a good 12 pounds. I'm thrilled he's growing so well. I can definitely tell from the fact that he's growing out of all his clothes. He's now wearing 3 month old sizes, with no extra room spare!

We've heard from several friends in the medical field that neutropenia is not totally uncommon in newborn babies and that it generally resolves itself. I'm starting to feel better about things. I'm not sure why, it's not like we have any new information. Maybe it's just due to the passing of time. We just about have things set with a pediatrician in Maui. I hope Ted will make all of our reservations soon! I really can't wait to go. We are going to have the blood work re-done around June 10. Please pray that his neutrophil count goes up.

Jacob's nose is still stuffy, although a little better. Hopefully he will be able to have the rest of his two month old shots at the end of the week. I hate it when they make him cry!

Porcupines, Turkeys, Rabbits and a Beaver

Friday evening, Pili and I decided to do our usual Pico hike. We started out for one of our usual routes, but the next thing you know, we're at the top taking in the view. (All I had was my cell phone for pics, sorry for the poor quality.) Along the way we saw a porcupine (once on the way up, and again on the way down), a turkey, rabbits and a beaver that Pili went for a swim with.  Started at 5:45, hiked, stopped to swim twice for Pili, hiked around the top and around the backside of Pico on the interconnect, and was home by 8:15 to make dinner.  

Pili vs the Porcupine

This is what a porcupine looks like after Pili got a little curious and close for comfort. Like a good dog, she came back without incident, but the porcupine wasn't too happy to have us disturb his afternoon walk.

A cold

Well Jacob has his first cold... a stuffy nose. This was a first I was hoping would happen later rather than sooner. I've been using saline drops and a nasal aspirator when he sounds really congested. He's not too crazy about having his nose suctioned which makes me feel rotten. Hopefully it will resolve quickly. I have a cold also, but it's getting better.

Last week we had some blood work re-done to check his hemoglobin levels. He has been anemic and is taking iron. After two traumatic (for both of us) bloods draws, we found out his hemoglobin is better, but still low average. We also found out that he has neutropenia, which has to do with his white blood cells. Specifically his neutorphil count is too low (his was 440 and should be 1500). At this point we don't know why and it could be due to a wide range of reasons, like the natural dip of bone marrow functioning in a new born, tfighting an infection, a vitamin deficiency, or something really bad. The hematologist in Burlington that Dr. Wood consulted with said that since he is gaining weight so well, is happy and healthy, that it isn't as much of a concern and will probably resolve on its own. If he was sick and not gaining weight, then they would be more concerned. So now we wait 6 weeks and repeat the test. Needless to say I am absolutely sick with worry. But as I sit and stare at him, he just looks so healthy to me. Please keep him in your prayers.

Next comes the Maui dilema... We were all set to go when we found out about the neutopenia. Now I'm scared to be away or put him at risk. We've started to look into pediatricians out there, just in case. All the people have recommened a husband and wife team, Dr. Fox and Dr. Fox. Ted is going to call them to see if they will meet with us when we get there, take care of him if needed, and consult with our Dr. Wood. I hope they can make me feel better. I like their name, which could be a sign... Michael J. FOX is a great person and I see a beautiful red FOX around our house a lot... I know I'm crazy. But I look for signs like that. I can't imagine not going to Maui. It has become our summer home and gives me such a sense of joy and peace. I want Jacob to grow up with that as part of his life.

Jake and his guard dog

2 Months Old!

On Sunday Jacob turned two months old! I can't believe it- time is flying! I can't wait to find out what he weighs on Friday when we see Dr. Wood. I bet he's at least ten pounds now! Not only is he growing well, but he's doing much better breast feeding. After two months of pumping (YUCK!) and using a nipple shield to try and get him to latch on, he is now doing it without the shield... 4 days and counting! So no more pumping, at least not on a regular basis, and no more shield. I'm very proud of him. We worked really hard for two months and now it's paying off!