Mallory (4 Months)

4 Months Old

 

 

4 Months Old:  11.17.12

 

4 month appointment on 11.20.12

 

Weight: 13lbs 3.2oz (50%)

Height: 23.5" (25%)

Head: 16.5" (75%)

 

You made a double jump on your head growth in 2 months. If you continue to make a big growth again the pediatrician may want to do a head scan to make sure everything is developing properly and closing appropriately (I think you just have a big head!)

 

 

 

 

- You are still wearing 3 month clothes, but with 6 month hoodies. 

 

-Wearing Size 2 diapers and you don't like being really wet (and I can't blame you!)

 

- Still eating 4 oz of milk, but have eaten as much as 6 oz in one feeding

 

-You met your Uncle David and Auntie Mandy and Cousins Maddie and Riley this month when they came to visit you from 11/9-11/13

 

 -You love to watch tv..I think it is all the bright colors and movement

 

- You went to vote with mom in your first election!

 

- Tummy time is still not on your list of favorite things to do, but you are getting much stronger at holding your head up so its paying off

 

- You have become very vocal and noisy and we have now heard your baby giggles which are the best

 

-You love to smack your lips together and make noises

 

- You have began to drool, but are not cutting any teeth. Salivary glands have kicked in

 

- You love to smile and coo at Mom and Dad and know who we are.

 

- You love to chew on your fingers and explore things by putting them in your mouth

 

- You love your play gym (especially after we added a few new rattles and dangly things to it!) and are content there for over an hour

 

 

- We finally put you in your own room in your own crib (no more Pack 'N Play) (11.26.12)

 

 - You are still not sleeping through the night (and mommy really wishes that you would!)

 

All bundled up on a cold night, in your new mohawk hoodie from grandma

 

-You can hold your bottle by yourself

 

 

-You celebrated your first Thanksgiving..Mommy's Little Turkey!

 

 

 

Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

Cream Cheese Chicken Chili

(in the Crockpot)

 

 

Cream Cheese Chicken Chili
adapted from Tried and Tasty

1 can black beans
1 can corn, undrained
1 can Rotel, undrained
1 package ranch dressing mix
1 tsp cumin
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 8 oz package light cream cheese
2 chicken breasts

Drain and rinse black beans. Place frozen chicken at bottom of pot, then pour out whole can of corn (undrained), rotel, and black beans. Top with seasonings and ranch mix. Stir together. Place cream cheese on top. Cover with lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours. Stir cream cheese into chili. Use 2 forks to shred chicken. Stir together and serve.

 

Recipe from Plain Chicken

 

Pat and I absolutely LOVED this recipe with the weather getting cooler its the perfect quick, easy meal.  Next time I make it though I am doubling the recipe because I want leftovers! (It said it was 4 adult sized portions)

 

Mallory (3 Months)

3 Months Old

 

 

10.17.12

 

-You are wearing Size 1 diapers and 3 month clothes

 

-We weighed you on grandpa's scale and you are 11 lbs!

 

-You had your 2nd cold..much less severe then your 1st, but still no fun for anyone

 

-You love riding in the stroller and you went on your first trip to the mall and on your first beer run :)

 

-Dad went to training in Iowa for a week, and us girls were home by ourselves for 6 days

 

-Mom had to go back to work (10.11.12) after 12 weeks off and you went to daycare for the first time

 

-Baby's 1st Road trip! I fed you and we hit the road for MN.  You slept the whole time in the car without making any noise!  All 3.5hrs!!   I got off the highway in Des Moines and had to stop at a stoplight and you woke up..thank goodness dad was only 5 minutes away! I am so proud of you.

 

-Grandpa Brad and Uncle Jay got to meet you for the very first time.

 

-You attended your 3rd Wedding! You love the lights and noise

 

-We got together with Great Grandma and Grandpa for a picture with 4 generations of women!

 

-You found your thumbs and love to suck on them if the paci falls out

 

-You are finally able to hold your head up enough to use the Bumbo

 

- You love to kick your legs and throw your arms around

 

- You celebrated your First Halloween. No costume just a pumpkin hat and bib, and the tutu from your newborn photo shoot (that finally fits now!)

 

 

Crockpot Potato Soup

   EASY CROCKPOT POTATO SOUP

1 30oz. bag of frozen, shredded hash browns {I used Ore Ida}

3 14oz. cans of chicken broth

1 can of cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1/4 tsp. ground pepper

1 pkg. cream cheese {don’t use fat free. It WON’T melt!!!}

In a crockpot, combine everything EXCEPT for the cream cheese. Cook for 6-8 hours on low heat. About 1 hour before serving, add cream cheese and keep heated until thoroughly melted. Serve with cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, green onions, or whatever else you think would be good!!

 

Recipe from Pearls, handcuffs, and Happy Hour

Currently...

Loving.... snuggles and smiles from my baby girl, the fact that I have had the last 12 weeks off from work, we get to visit family and friends this weekend, longer stretches of sleep at night (sometimes 7 hrs!) cooler weather, walks with the stroller  

Excited for...  family time, to be reunited with my husband again on Friday, adult conversations

Worried... Going back to work, being a single mom for 3 more days this week, packing everything we all will need for 6 days, daycare (germs, other kids, being neglected) separation from my child, driving 500 miles with an infant (3 hrs of which..by myself!)

Creating.... (or lack thereof!) How is it, that I had the last 12 weeks off to be productive, but didn't get a damn thing accomplished!  Getting caught up on the blog!

Hating... maternity leave is coming to an end, Pat being gone for his yearly week of training, cold nights/mornings, having to set an alarm clock again, expensive car repairs, hospital/ NICU bills, growth spurts/ eating every 2 hrs

Wondering... When Mallory will continually sleep through the night? How my first day back at work will be? (and how many emails I will have!)

Craving... Soup, breakfast sweets (donuts, danish, cinnamon rolls) cherry slices, Nutella wraps  

Hoping... Transition goes well the next 3 weeks, that I don't forget something major

Watching.... From Netflix in the past month: What to Expect when Your Expecting, The Lorax, The Babymakers, Chloe, Piranha DD, Project X, The Dictator

DVR: Breaking Amish, Jersey Housewives, 19 Kids, Amazing Race, Dexter, Guliana and Bill  

Listening... The baby swing and it's 6 songs it has on repeat, coos/noises from Mallory, construction workers building

Looking forward to... my baby being 3 months old and all the new things she does, 4 generations of women getting together, seeing my grandparents new place/ and the work that has been done on their old place, my dad and brother meeting Mallory for the first time, Danielle's wedding

Mallory (2 Months)

 

2 Months Old!! 9.17.12

 

 

2 Month Appointment 9.18.12

 

Weight: 9lbs (15%)

Height: 21" (7%)

Head: 14.75 (20%)

 

 

 

You finally registered on the "curve" since you were so small at birth, so it took awhile for you to catch up. But now you are on the lower percent of the scale.

 

 

Here you are checking yourself out in the mirror. You are such a girl! :)

 

In came the tray of shots. This is when mommy started to tear up (and they haven't even been administered yet!) You received 5 shots total. 3 injections (one shot is a 2 in 1) and the Rotovirus was administered orally

 

Such a sad peanut..and I can't blame you at all. You were good for about 7 hrs and then needed a dose of baby tylenol to get you through the night. The next morning you were doing much better, but your poor legs are very hard at the injection sight.

 

 

 

You had your first "baby date" with Graham on 9.15 You really enjoyed the company and kept staring at him the whole time! (he was more interested in the dangly toys) ha ha!!

 

 

 

You also became a very messy baby this month.  It's probably part my fault for not getting you into size 1 diapers sooner. But you have been blowing through 2-3 outfits a week easily. This one was by far the worst one you have had.

 

 

At 2 months...

 

- You are in newborn diapers

 

- We finally got you into 3 month clothing but you can still wear some NB size 

 

- You have now been spitting up pretty regularly and even in our bed one night (mom even had to put a rag down one night..and go right back to sleep)

 

- Granny and Grampy came to visit you for the first time over Labor Day weekend

 

- You got your first cold 9.2.12 You were full of boogies and we spent a lot of time in the bathroom steaming them out. You dislike the snot sucker..but realize you feel so much better once your nose is clear.

 

- We had to buy a second refridgerator for all of your milk! Who knew that mom would be such a milk machine!

 

- You are now big enough for your swing! You seem to love the movement, and it gives us a break to cook/eat dinner, etc.. while you chill. You like the side to side facing out into the living room best (so you can see the tv!)

 

- We started using the baby gym more.  You seem to like looking at it, and occasionally bat at the toys. We also put your light bar on your monkey bouncer.

 

-We started tummy time and the ped wants you to do 30 minutes a day. You might get 5-7 minutes in at a time (and really hate it after 5 minutes or so!) You grunt and cry and start to suck on your hands for comfort.

 

- You developed a "mild case" of  baby acne over the last 3 weeks. I'm hoping it clears up soon

 

- You have become much more noisy and love to smile.  (Especially at 3 am after feeding and getting your diaper changed)

 

- You visited mom's co workers at work.  They all loved you, and took turns passing you around

 

- You went to another wedding..your 2nd

 

- You are still feeding every 3 hrs. You did have a growth spurt and wanted to eat every 2 hrs for awhile.  But this spurt also led to you sleeping more then 3 hrs at a time.  You have made it anywhere from 4-5.5 hrs some nights!  

 



 

Mallory (1 month)

The first month...

 

 

 

We took you in for your "1 week appointment" on 7.31.12 You were technically 2 weeks old, but had only been discharged from the hospital 3 days before. You are now 5 lbs The doctor thought you looked a "little yellow" and wants us to keep an eye on it.

 

8.1.12 We took you in to get your newborn photos taken.  Again just like hospital photos..you weren't digging it!  We really had to work to get some good pictures.  Thankfully there wasn't an appointment after us, so we got some bonus time..which we needed. After feeding you, you finally fell asleep making everyones job much easier.

You also went on your first "panic run" to the pediatrician today.  Your diapers weren't yellow and seedy anymore..and they were orangy and runny.  And after getting your pictures back we thought you looked "a little yellow"  we saw a nurse practioner who thought you looked fine, and that you may have a little diarrhea (but weren't deheydrated cause you were still foamy in the mouth) Better to be safe then sorry! As long as you keep dirtying those diapers, you will be fine.

 

8.2.12 We celebrated dads 30th birthday today.  We had steaks, champagne and beers and red velvet cake all while watching the olympics.

 

8.3.12 Grammy Tammy had to head back to MN and we headed to the pediatrician for a follow up weight check. You now are up to 5lbs 3.2oz

 

2 week appointment

8.8.12 You weighed 5lbs 9.6oz

 

 

 

 

8.11.12 You attended your first wedding. Everyone was so amazed at how small and well behaved you were. You pretty much slept through the ceremony and reception. I woke you up to feed you and change you and you went right back to sleep. The loud noises didn't even phase you.  The hardest part was everyone wanting to hold you.  Our pediatrician advised against it in the first 2 months since you were so early a fever could be a serious emergency. We swaddled you up and I carried you around the entire night.  They could look..but not touch.

 

 

This was also your first time meeting Dailey and Graham. All of you are almost a month apart! 

 

 

8.17.12

 

 

1 month old

 

- You are a pretty content baby as long as you are warm, dry, and fed

 

- You hiccup after every feeding and are a very loud burper

 

-You hate to be swaddled! We call you "Houdini" because as soon as we wrap you and put you down we start hearing grunting and wiggling noises and then your arms are out.  We finally gave up and started wrapping you under your armpits.

 

- You eat every 3 hrs, and definitely follow a feeding schedule.

 

- You hate the dark and silence. We think it was because the NICU was so bright and loud.  (You have gotten used to the quiet though). We sleep with the nightlight on

 

- You are to small for the swing, but LOVE your monkey bouncer.

 

- You are wearing newborn clothes and preemie diapers.

 

- You are a pretty clean baby..no blowouts or spit up.

 

- You love bathtime. You never fuss or cry

 

- You love watching the "whirly bird" aka the ceiling fan but also hate it because you get cold.

 

-Every night you go to sleep with a hat on and either mittens for your hands or your jammies rolled down over your fingers (because your hands get cold)

 

- You sleep in our room everynight.  Our pack and play has a newborn napper that you sleep in, and you seem pretty comfortable and content

 

- Your nickname is peanut

 

 

11 days in the NICU

Wednesday 7.18.12

 

 

So we made it through the night.  Pain wasn't too horrible (Thank goodness for the pain pump!) I was checked on every few hours and my blood pressure was monitored.  I managed to sleep pretty well from 3:30 am till about 7am  And then I found it fairly hard to sleep.

We had 2 sets of visitors this morning, which was a huge surprise for me.  My coworker Lori stopped by for a quick visit.  She wanted to find out what happened, so she could report back to everyone at work.  We also got a visit from Pat's cousin Emi, her husband and their girls.  They even brought us these adorable clothes for you. Thank goodness for the preemie and newborn clothes, otherwise you would have been naked.

  

 

I am still on a clear diet (which sucks!)  Breakfast consisted of Sprite, cranberry juice, jello and chicken broth..ick! I wasn't too hungry yet, but by lunch I was starving!  ( I did sneak a few swigs of coke for my caffeine fix, since I was getting a massive headache..Shhh..don't tell the nurses!)  I also had a few bites of the McDonalds McDouble that dad brought back for lunch! :)

 

Dad and grandma keep visiting you at the NICU and bringing your milk.  They would also bring back all of these great photos since I haven't gotten to meet you yet. I love this picture..you look so sweet and soft. I can't wait to hold you.

 

 

So small and tiny

 

Keeping warm in the isolette

 

By 7pm there was another shift change which gave me Darby.  I really enjoyed her, and she seemed just as eager to get me up to see my baby and turned off from the Mag as I was! She told me that hopefully by midnight we would be transferring to the postpartum side with a pit stop at the NICU. (she kept her promise!)  Around 10pm, my IV was turned off, the Fentanyl was stopped (after one last "hit" for the pain) , Mag was done being administered and the catheter removed. I am so excited. By 10:45 we start packing up the room onto the transfer cart, and just hung out and waited for Darby to transfer us. Just before midnight, she got me cleaned up, and I got to wash my face and brush my teeth finally, and put on a new gown.   

 

Thursday 7.19.12

 

12:15am We are finally heading out to the NICU! It feels so good to finally get out of bed, and have the compression socks taken off.  I am so excited to see my baby and also a little nervous since she is so small.

 

 

12:20 am I finally get to hold Mallory.  I was so shocked at first at how small and almost fragile she is.  I then start to cry. I am so happy!!  I then unwrap her and check her out..I can't believe how many wires she is hooked up to.  3 chest stickies, an IV, a O2 sensor, baby "low jack" bracelet, and 2 hospital bracelets.(1 on her arm and 1 on her leg) I play with her little fingers and toes, and then head over to my new room for the night. I am very satisfied with my trip.

 

 

The first thing I did after getting situated in my room was order breakfast.(and my next 3 meals!) I was SO excited for this I could barely stand it!  7:30am my tray arrived with my Rice Krispies, french toast, cinnamon roll, oj, and chocolate and white milk.

 

We go down to the NICU every 3 hrs for feedings starting at 11:30am.  I am still pretty sore from surgery, and we take the wheelchair to our feedings.  (It is just to far to walk)  Our feeding schedule is 8:30, 11:30, 2:30, 5:30, 8:30, 11:30) We often skip the middle of the night feedings, just so I can get some rest..and we have quite the supply of milk already in the freezer they can feed her with

 

Another HUGE highlight of my day..I finally got to shower!! And it felt AMAZING!! I was a little nervous how it was going to feel on my incision, but it wasn't too bad. There was even a bench in there if I wanted to sit down. I felt like a new woman after getting clean. 

 

After our morning feeding they had placed a feeding tube :(  I was quite shocked to come back for the next feeding to find that, but know it is for the best.  You seem to tolerate it well...the only problem is, you love to have your hands up by your head and you have grabbed at the tube several times by accident.

 

Friday 7.20.12

 

We finally decided on your middle name this morning (Lynn) after being stalked by the birth certificate lady for 3 days.  It took us awhile (since you came early) we had it down to 3 names and decided to keep a family name going.

 

 

 

It took us 2.5 days to finally get a family picture of the 3 of us (outside of the OR) We just didn't think about it. We were so excited to see you, and hold you we just didn't think about it. But after some skin to skin time we got this shot. 

 

You are very alert today..it's so good to see you with your eyes open.

 

You love to squeeze our fingers, and we enjoy it too. You are very strong!

After this feeding dad went home to shower and I took grandma to the next feeding. 

 

 

This was her first time holding you and she was very excited for this.  I wish it could have happened sooner, but the NICU only allows 2 people in at a time. Grammy loved holding you, while I pumped. 

 

Dad surprised all of us tonight, when he arrived back at the hospital with a clean shaven face. I was so shocked when he walked in.  I thought he was only going to trim his beard..not take it all off!

 

 

 

Saturday 7.21.12

 

We arrived at your 8:30am feeding to find you in the "baby tanning bed" I was very surprised to see this, but know that it is very common (especially in preemie babies) Your bilirubin levels were only slightly elevated..nothing to severe (and I didn't even think you looked that yellow to me.) You only needed one day under the lights.

 

 

Here you are with Cynthia, our favorite NICU nurse.  We really formed a bond with her, and she loved talking to you while she was caring for you.  She loved calling you "baby girl", and watching you sleep with your mouth open while you were "catching flies" She was never pushy, and left us alone a lot of the time to bond with you (which we really appreciated!)

 

I was finally "discharged" from the hospital this afternoon after 4 days. I was free to go!  We were however put up in a "boarding room" which is a hospital room for NICU parents to stay at (free of charge) while your baby is still hospitalized. It is basically a hospital room, without nursing service or meals. We were very fortunate they had this room available, so we didn't have to keep running up to the hospital every 3 hours for a feeding.

 

Dad and I left the hospital after your 8:30 feeding.  I remember walking through the door to the outside world and feeling free.  Even if it was just to get some gas station food and take a drive..it felt good to get out! (even though it was still 95+ degrees out at 10pm at night!)  

 

Upon arriving back at the hospital, we recognize a car that is parked next to ours as one of our friends.  We later find out she is currently in labor.  

 

 

Sunday 7.22.12

  

 

 

You have made fabulous progress since midnight.  Your IV was removed, you no longer required the Bili light and you gained a half an ounce! (and pooped on dad!)   The doctor who made rounds this morning said that your feeding tube may come out very soon.  In order to do that, you need to be able to prove to them that you can eat, swallow and suck and gain weight on your own...so we got to bottle feed you for the first time today!  You did very well! 

 

You did have a "spell" today while I was feeding you. A Brady and Apnea lit up on your screen and the alarm started dinging at us.  I didn't think it was big deal..since you beep anytime a sensor comes loose from you...until 3 nurses came running in.  I was informed that your heart rate had dropped, and you had temporarily stopped breathing. Scary!! It happened once and you didn't need any resuscitation (you bounced right back as the nurses came in!)  I think you were just enjoying your bottle so much, you forgot what you were doing! :)  

 

You need to be spell free for 5 days in order to go home.

 

Madison Katherine arrived today, and is doing well. Megan was due on 7/30 (just 2 weeks before us.) We went down the hall to visit everyone today and share our birth stories.

 

 

Monday 7.23.12

 

I came in this morning to find that the nurses had dressed you in your very first preemie outfit overnight..you looked so cute! Such a big girl.   And..NO FEEDING TUBE!! We are all so excited at this huge milestone for you.  I knew you could do it.

 

We ran a bunch of errands between feedings today.  Dad and I got your car seat installed in my car this morning, and we went and got a breast pump so we can feed you when we get home. 

 

Dad and I spent the night at home in our own bed..which was fantastic.  We let the nurses know that we would be back for your 8:30am feeding.

 

Tuesday 7.24.12

 

 

1 week old!!

How is this for my 37 week photo?? :)  We have had a wonderful day today. You have been very happy, I'm feeling great after getting a good nights sleep and everyone says you will probably be going home this weekend! Yay!!

 

And then the phone call that changed everything.  My girlfriend Kristin called this evening to say that they had lost their baby!  I went blank...I was shocked, saddened, confused, numb..every emotion in the book.  I thought she was calling to tell us that they had delivered early..not the news I was expecting to hear!  She was due just 3 days before me! How could this have happened?  Jackson James will forever be in our hearts! 

 

Dad and I cried and grieved and talked a lot tonight. We can't imagine the pain that our closest friends are going through.  We gave you the biggest hug and kiss that night! We are very thankful that you are here with us, and healthy.

 

All I wanted to do was go home and sleep in my own bed tonight.  I was mentally drained.  The nurses however wanted us to stay, and attend all the night feedings, to ensure that you were getting enough food from me and not needing any additional supplements.   



 

Wednesday 7.25.12

 

We arrived this morning to find you out of your isolette and into a regular crib! Everyday is a new milestone and closer for you for being discharged.  We are so pleased. 

 

The nurses dressed you in winter jammies (kinda funny since it was 102 out today!) and you are holding your temperature well!

 

You are finally back up to your original birth weight of 4.14lbs!

 

When I changed your diaper this morning, I noticed that your umbilical cord "stump" had fallen off. The nurse had informed me that it had fallen off during your bath overnight. 

 

Thursday 7.26.12

 

 

Today was a low key day nothing too exciting. You continue to thrive and be spell free.  We have pretty much been told you will be getting out on Saturday!

 

Dad playing Temple Run on his phone.  He downloaded this game, and would play this while I was pumping or feeding. 

 

This particular feeding made us laugh (and gag) Joseph (the NICU baby behind us) took a big, stinky, loud poop. I guess Joseph only poops about once a week (not sure why!) and we were lucky enough to share this experience with him. His poor mom was on the verge of throwing up!  We were trying to contain our laughter.

 

All swaddled up and warm.

 

 

Friday 7.27.12

 

 

Overnight/early this morning they ran your car seat test.  They placed you in your car seat for 90 minutes and monitor your vitals.  I arrived at your 5:30 feeding, only to be informed that you "did not properly fit in your seat"  Excuse me? I know it is rated for 5-30lbs and you are a few ounces shy..but seriously? Apparently we need to go buy a new seat..I am LIVID!! We have a matching travel system and I really don't want to go spend another $150 on a car seat, I know we don't need!  I return to our room, and tell Pat what they told me.  We return to the NICU at 8:30 and he informs another nurse that the seat is adjustable and then dials the knob down.  The ditzy nurse had it cranked up as high as it would go...no wonder you didn't fit! (I wonder how many other people she has done this to?)

 

You were finally allowed to room out with us today.  You arrived in our room around 10am with a bili blanket (your levels were only slightly elevated) as a precautionary measure. It is so good to see you without all of those wires and monitors attached to you.

 

The London 2012 Olympics started tonight. Dad picked up Panera for dinner and we had a very nice dinner with grandma in our room while watching the opening ceremony

 

Our little glow worm

 

Saturday 7.28.12

 

Finally the day we have been waiting for..DISCHARGE DAY!!  The nurses came and picked you up early this morning to run some last minute labs on you.  She returned you just in time for the hospital photographer to make her rounds.  You really weren't feeling pictures at all! It was almost time to eat  and I think you might have been a bit cold.  We got some really great shots in your fancy hats though and had to be quick with the pacifier, cuddles and "whooshing" noise to keep you happy.

 

The weekend doctor checking you out, and giving you the "all clear"

 

After getting you dressed in your going home outfit, we packed up the cart and the crib and headed back to the NICU.  I was super nervous driving you back, while trying to stay off the carpet sensors. (to avoid setting off the "baby low jack")

 

Packed up and ready to go we are finally free!

 

Out in the car and headed home. What a crazy 11 days it has been.