One month birthday

William had his one month birthday a few days after we were discharged from the hospital.  So far things are going great at home!  We are taking the little guy to Dr. Spinner at the TCPA at the West Campus TCH location (where I work).  It is so much easier to get out to Katy versus the Medical Center.  We don't have to deal with the crazy busy parking garages out in Katy.  We have seen Dr. Spinner twice since being home.  Here are baby boys measurements at one month old.

5/18/12:
Weight- 4 lb 15 oz (0.08%)
Height- 18.75 inches (0.18 %)
Eating- 50 cc give or take every 2 to 3 hours (breast milk only)

5/29/12:
Weight- 5 lb 10 oz (0.07%)
Height- 19.25 inches (0.11%)
Eating- 70 cc every 2 to 3 hours (breast milk only)

The second visit to the pediatrician was basically a weight check only.  He gained 11 ounces in 11 days.  This is exactly what he should be doing!  Gaining an ounce a day.  Dr. Spinner told us to not leave the house much with William until after he is 3 months old (adjusted age so when he is really 5 months old ~ mid September).  If we do go out it can't be to crowded places like church, the grocery store or a crowded restaurant during peak hours.  He also said he shouldn't be around other children.  :(  This makes it hard for a lot of our friends to visit.  But, we have to do what we have to do to keep baby boy healthy.  Being a preemie he has a weaker immune system than a normal newborn so we have to keep the germs away!  This momma does NOT want to end up back in the NICU. 
We don't have much of a routine around our house.  Since baby boy is still NEGATIVE one week old he has to eat frequently, sleeps a lot, and seems to have his days and nights mixed up (and it's impossible to keep him awake when he wants to sleep).  There are random times throughout the day that he is more awake than others.  When he is awake he looks around and loves to be talked to.  He loves his swing, bouncy seat, nap nanny and the sound of the shower and hair dryer.  He'll be crying in his nap nanny and I can turn on the hair dryer and stops immediately.  While I was pregnant I noticed that he didn't move much when I was showering/drying my hair...he obviously still likes the noises.  We have the hardest time getting him to sleep between 11pm and 2am.  I usually go to sleep around 10:00pm, wake up at 11:00pm, feed him at 11:00pm and again at 2am and finally put him down to sleep (without him crying) at 3am.  This mommy doesn't get much sleep.  Luckily, he still sleeps a lot during the day so I can nap with him.  From what I've read, preemies don't sleep for long periods of time until they are a lot older and closer to 12-14 lbs.  So, the sleepless nights are here to stay for a while.  I dread the day I have to go back to work on 4 hours of sleep.  Like I told my mom a few days ago....everything is so much harder with a baby...but so much better. 

May 19, 2012

I'm just a little guy

Tummy Time

That's baby powder on his chubby neck!