Week Twenty

Happy Mothers Day everyone! Especially to all the first timers out there : )

On with this weeks update...

Age today: 20 weeks or 140 days or 4 months,

Age Being Posted: Weeks 19- 20 or Days 133-139

Date: May 5 - 11

Diaper Size: 2 or Medium

Clothing: 3, 3-6

Size-
Weight: 11 lbs 13 oz
Height: 63cm
Head. C. :40 cm

Photo of the Week: Snuggle up! It's cold!

Milestones: playing with toes

Development: Well you're growing and meeting milestones. You're talking and screaming and hardly ever crying. You're interested in everything and want to eat it all. You love being outside and watching Penny who seems to be afraid of you now. But wow, you're growing up! You also have found your feet! You can lay all day with your little feet in the air just chewing on your toes!

Concerns: I have absolutely no concerns about your development and she prescribed a lotion for your cheeks (which is caused by all that drooling you do!) But we got your vaccines and even though your feeling good now I'm always concerned about your reactions. I know its just a fever but I hate it. Also.. you only gained 13 ounces this past month and a half. From our last visit that is around 2 oz a week. You're healthy meeting milestones and you look great so I shouldn't worry but I do.

Eating Habits: Only breast milk, every 3 hours and once at night

Sleeping Habits: day naps are getting better.. I have stopped patting and just stand by your crib now. At night you usually wake once

Health: No concerns here!

Special Moments-
Best: I swear you said Mom!
Worst: Your vaccines!

The Doctor Visit: We waited a long time to go to this visit. Vaccines are the worst so we put it off a little. The doctor says your perrrrfect. She asked about your routine and said it was fine but you should have one longer nap of 2 hours. Ha! I wish! Also she examined you. She was so surprised when you just reached out and grabbed your toes. We told her you could drink from a sippy cup and roll over both ways. She didn't believe it until you did it right there in her office.

We asked a few questions and then she weighed and measured you which did worry me a bit. Then it was time for vaccines. It was an awful cry for about a minute then you were fine.

This Weeks Observations/Activities: This week was eventful! Sunday was your uncles birthday but we went and spent the day in Calacali. You rode dads horse!.. and I was terrified!

Then we went to your grandparents to tell your uncle happy birthday. On Thursday we went to pick up your passport and report of birth at the embassy! Officially an American now! Then that night we had vaccines : (

Like always you got a fever and Friday you spent most of the day sleeping fussing and eating. By Saturday the fever was gone-big improvement over last time!

Pictures From The Week:

Week Thirteen (3 Months)

Age today: 13 weeks or 91 days

Age Being Posted: Weeks 12-13 or Days 84-90

Date: March 17 - 23

Diaper Size: small or size 1

Clothing Size: 0-3, 3

Photo of the Week: Tummy Time

Milestones: Reach for objects

Development: Well this week you turned 3 months old (check out the overview of this month)! Your getting bigger and stronger but I do think it's more in length than in weight because you don't seem quite as chunky as you use to but you do feel heavier. You now reach out your hand to take something from me but you don't quite have the coordination to actually get the object but your getting there!

Week Twelve

Age today: 12 weeks or 84 days

Age Being Posted: Weeks 11-12 or Days 77-83

Date: March 10 - 16

Diaper Size: small or size 1

Clothing Size: 0-3, 3

Photo of the Week: Curious Baby!

Milestones: turn in the direction of a voice, pass a cube (or other object) from one hand to the other, say vowel consonant combination, roll over from tummy to back.

Development: You're getting bigger and stronger everyday. You love to "scream". You've been making quite a racket for a while now but this week you REALLY found your voice. You wake up so happy even from short naps and it's hard to be irritated (but I sometimes still am!). You love when dadas gets home and can't stop smiling. You, however, are pretty serious anytime we are out and about. You like HOME. Your grammy says I was the EXACT same. Also you are now able to pass objects from one hand to the other. Afterwards it almost ALWAYS ends up in your mouth. Everyone is SO amazed that you are already doing this. "Turn in the direction of a voice" I'm not sure if was passed this week or a few weeks ago. I wasn't paying too much attention to that but you do it. And if the person talking isn't in your viewpoint you head is all over the place trying to locate that voice. It seemed to take you forever to coo but now that you do you seem to be able to do everything so quickly. You are now able to put vowels and consonants together. You also did a HUGE milestone. You rolled over from your tummy to your back! AND I got it on video!

Concerns: None

Eating Habits: Only breast milk every 2h30 - 3 hours during the day and once at night

Sleeping Habits: From 9-3, 3-6 and various 15-30min naps

Health: Perrrrfect

Special Moments-
    Best: This has come to be the hardest section not because I can't think of "best" moments but usually it's not just ONE thing. It's a thousand things rolled up together. Like the way you smile when I come and get you, not just one time, but EVERY morning. The way you snuggle up to me when you want to sleep, the way you cry when I'm not around. It's not just one thing, it's so many.
Worst: Although it's sweet, they way you will not sleep anywhere but on my shoulder!

This Weeks Observations/Activities: We finally decorated your room! I also don't think you have a milk allergy. I have been reading up on it and it sounds to me like I have an oversupply. I'm going to try to see if feeding you on just one side will help out because not eating dairy and the medicine the doctor gave us doesn't seem to be doing a thing. Other than that just our regular eating and playing and not sleeping!

Photos From This Week:

 

Week Eleven

Age today: 11 weeks or 77 days

Age Being Posted: Weeks 10-11 or Days 70-76

Date: March 3 - 9

Diaper Size: small or size 1

Clothing Size: 0-3, 3

Photo of the Week: Way Back From Embassy-SO happy!

Milestones: Nothing new this week. See milestones page for milestones already passed

Development: You are trying to roll over from your tummy to your back now! I can see you get so mad when you can't quite do it. You turn to you side and then fall back over. It's cute until you start complaining about not being able to do it!

Concerns: None

Eating Habits: Only breastmilk, every 2-2h30

Sleeping Habits: Once again we're back to good nights. Just waking up once around 2. Naps are still bad!

Health: Great

Special Moments-
    Best: The people at the embassy saying you were going to get your US citizenship!
Worst: Can't think of anything!

This Weeks Observations/Activities: This week we had to do the Newborn Screening even though you are far from a NEWborn now. Your almost 3 months old! But the hospital you were born at didn't do it and so we had to go and do it. The nurse was awful and slow at it and hurt you really bad. I almost cried and dadas was so mad! We also took in the pictures to the embassy and they said you are a US citizen. We have to go back in a couple weeks to get your passport and birth report.

Pictures From This Week:

Week Ten

Age today: 10 weeks or 70 days

Age Being Posted: Weeks 9-10 or Days 63-69

Date: February 24 - March 2

Diaper Size: small or size 1

Clothing Size: 0-3, 3

Size-
Weight: 9 lbs 11 oz
Height: 55 cm
Head C.: 36 cm

Photo of the Week: Sleeping in Your Carseat

Milestones: raise chest when supported by arms (while on stomach),  laugh out loud

Development: You're a chunky baby now! I can't believe how much you've grown. I look at your checks and belly and can't believe you are the same baby! You move around so much more now. I find you sideways in your crib and I have no idea how you got that way! Now you can laugh which is probably the most adorable sound I've ever heard! You did it at first to dadas (Only fair--I got your first smile!) but have done it a couple times so far. Also while you're on your tummy you can now raise up your little chest! It's amazing how much strength those little arms have.

Concerns: Vaccine reaction! And head circumference. The doctor doesn't seem worried at all but I feel its too small/growing slow.

Eating Habits: Every 2-2h30 during the day, 2 times at night.

Sleeping Habits: After 2 am you wake up at 4am and then again at 6. It's killing me!

Health: Just perfect

Special Moments-
    Best: Taking you to get your American passport and birth record!
Worst: Vaccines!

The Doctor Visit: We went to your 2 month checkup this week. We told her all about your routine and night schedule. We talked about your reflux which hadn't improved as much as she hoped so she subscribed some medicine. We asked a few questions about the vaccines that you had to get (DTP, Hib, IPV, Rota ) which I think is ALOT for a 2 month old but I still believe vaccines are important so we got them. You spit out the Rota but the doctor said it was fast absorbing. The other ones you screamed because of the needle but within 5 minutes you were fine.

This Weeks Observations/Activities: This week we did SO much! You giggled for the first time on Feb 24th at dadas because he is silly! On the 25th we went to get your Ecuadorian cedula with me and your aunt Dani. What a complication getting your picture done! That same day, but in the evening, we went to the doctor and got shots. Ouch! I slept in your room because I was worried because you had a fever and were just really fussy. On the 26th we went to the US embassy to get your birth report and passport. It took forever and we have to go back in a couple of weeks because I forgot to take pictures of when I was pregnant and when I had you. After that we went to the passport place for your Ecuadorian passport and got that within an hour! By the time we were leaving though you had gotten a fever again so we gave you medicine and called the doctor. She told us only to worry if you still had the fever after 72 hours. And you didn't! So all is good!

Pictures From This Week:

Week Eight

Age today: 8 weeks or 56 days

Age Being Posted: Weeks 7-8 or Days 49-55

Date: February 10 - 16

Diaper Size: Size 1 or small

Clothing Size: 0-3, 3

Photo of the Week: With Grandma!

Milestones: Vocalize in other ways than crying,  follow an object above face moved 180 degrees, bear some weight on legs when brought to a standing, keep head level with body when pulled to a sitting


Development: You don't seem to be having your Witching hour anymore. You stay awake still from about 5-9 with a 15 min cat nap sometimes but you're not crying. I want to move your bedtime but dadas doesn't think so yet. Also you have begun to finally coo! It's such a welcome sound. I was starting to worry but you have found your voice now and love to use it! And wow what a week you had! You seem to be doing everything now. You can watch a toy from one side to the other. You love to pull up to standing and have quite the little muscles in your legs. When I sit you up now your head stays up, doesn't fall back like it did last week. I can't believe you can do so much already!

Concerns: Although you aren't crying anymore you're still throwing up lots of your food 1-2 a day and I'm not eating dairy. Maybe its still in my system though.

Eating Habits: Just breast milk Every 2-2h30 and once at night and early morning

Sleeping Habits: Usually a good 5-6 hour stretch then another 3. Naps... well let's not even talk about those

Health: Great... I think I'm going to delete these section! You're just so healthy. Actually on second thought ill leave it up. Something to be thankful for!

Special Moments-
Best:When I go into your room in the morning you are so ridiculously excited and even without sleep it melts my heart
Worst:Honestly can't think of anything.

This Weeks Activities/Observations: Well you had your very first Valentines day! And this was the first year in a long time I wasn't your dadas Valentine! He made you his little valentine. What jealousy!

Photos From This Week:

Week Seven

Age today: 7 weeks or 49 days

Age Being Posted: Weeks 6-7 or Days 42-48

Date: February 3 - 9

Diaper Size: Newborn - size 1 or small

Clothing Size: newborn, 0-3,first time wearing 3 months

Photo of the Week: Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa and you!

Milestones: Smile in response to smile, hold head steady when upright


Development: Finally its not just in my mind you're growing! Although you're still wearing some newborn most you've outgrown! You're also wearing 3 months now. Everyone looks at you and just loves those chubby cheeks! You also smiled for the first time this week! I was changing your diaper and was singing a little ditty I made up and when I finished I smiled at you and you smiled right back! Also now when I carry you on my shoulder you lift up your head and it doesn't fall either way! It's steady now

Concerns: That milk is in EVERYTHING. I'm trying really hard not to eat any of it BUT its hard because then I just don't eat anything and to make milk I need to eat but I don't want you to feel bad. Ugh.

Eating Habits: Only breast milk every 2-2h30, still once at night but waking up around 5 to eat again

Sleeping Habits: Same as always. Great nights. Bad naps!

Health: You're the shining example of great health

Special Moments-
Best: Taking you on your very first outing
   Worst: One day was full of 10-15 min naps

This Weeks Observations/Activities: This week (yesterday) we took you to Calacali to meet the family on your dads moms (is that how you would say that?) side. You weren't so keen on it. From the moment we arrived until about the time we left all you did was sleep. There were so many people! You were like this is too much for me I'm gonna ignore it. But everyone thought you were adorable!

Photos From This Week:

Week Six

Age today: 6 weeks or 42 days

Age Being Posted: Weeks 5-6 or Days 35-41

Date: January 27 - February 2

Diaper Size: Newborn...still!

Clothing Size: newborn, 0-3

Photo of the Week: New Car Seat

Size-
Weight: 7 lbs 12 oz
Height: 53 cm
Head C: 35 in

Milestones: Lift head 90 degrees while on stomach

Development: Wow. You're growing so much. I don't understand how you are still in newborn things! You can also lift your little head so much more like you just wants to see the world around you.

Concerns: You doesn't seem to be making any real cooing sounds. Still just crying.

Eating Habits: Only breast milk every 2 - 2h15 hours, once at "night" but it's 9-2, 2-5, 5-7

Sleeping Habits: Night sleep is wonderful! Naps are kinda iffy. You hate to nap in your crib and only likes to be on my shoulder during the day

Health: Perrrrfect

Special Moments-
Best: We got you a swing! and you loooooove it... still not great naps but better : )
Worst: Can't think of anything bad!

Other Observations/Notes: This week our doctor once again cancelled on us so (FINALLY) Pedro agreed we needed to look for another doctor. Pedro's mom found us one and we went to the appointment on Thursday.

The Doctor Visit: God... where to start?! She asked all about our family history, my pregnancy, your birth, the time you spent in the hospital. Then she moved on to you routines how much you ate, slept, pooped, peed. Unlike the other doctor she said it was fine! We showed her the scans of your hips which had been a little abnormal. She wasn't too conceded though. She then examined you. She looked at everything and I loved how gentle and sweet she was to you. She weighed and measured you. Then she talked to us about you. This is what she said...

Your growing is great but you have a little bit of reflux so she prohibited milk and eggs for me. Although your hips are a little out of place she doesn't see reason to put on a harness because most likely they will fix themselves and at your 5 month checkup we need to do another exam. We are still supposed to give you vitamin d and obviously nothing but breast milk.

We were in there for 1h30 unlike other doc! And I really like her. I'm so glad we found her

Photos From This Week:

Week Five (1 Month)

Age today: 5 weeks or 35 days

Age Being Posted: Weeks 4-5 or Days 28-34

Date: January 20 - 26

Diaper Size: Newborn

Clothing Size: newborn 0-3

Photo of the Week: Lets Nap Together!   

Milestones: Nothing new this week. See milestones page for list of milestones already passed.


Development: We haven't been to the doctor but I know you are growing. You feel bigger everyday. And while they say babies are not developmental ready to smile yet sometimes you look so happy that I can almost swear its a smile. And I still love your little sleep grins!

Concerns: Your "witching hour". Its not colic because its not for 3 hours a day but it is everyday. I have come to dread 5-8pm

Eating Habits: Only breast milk, every 2 hours and twice at night

Sleeping Habits: 9-1, 1-4, 4-6 and about 4-5 naps in the day but they seem to get shorter and shorter

Health: Healthy as far as I can tell!

Special Moments-
Best: Not sure this constitutes as best BUT I really enjoyed going shopping with you. We took you to the grocery store with us because your grandma wasn't home to watch you. You went in dad's carrier and slept peacefully the whole time.
  Worst: We thought by doing that we got rid of your crying hour for one night but nope you just moved it later!

Other Observations/Notes We seem to have fallen into a routine. We hang out during the day. Dadas gets home and you hang out with him until your witching hour appears and then we take turns. I try to feed you. He walls around with you ans basically just wait it out til you actually eat for more than 20 seconds and fall asleep for a short nap then we do your bedtime routine and off to sleep you go.

We were supposed to go to the doctor this week but our doctor cancelled on us. He has two offices and the office we are closest to he is only available on Wednesdays. We made the appointment for 5pm but he (LIE-His secretary) called and said he had an emergency and would be unable to see us so we made the appointment for next Wednesday.

We need a new doctor!

Photos From This Week:

Week Four

Age today: 4 weeks or 28 days

Age Being Posted: Weeks 3-4 or Days 21-27

Date: January 13 - 19

Diaper Size: Still newborn!

Clothing Size: Newborn, 0-3 they're starting to fit better!

Photo of the Week: Napping Together

Milestones: Lift head to a 45 degree angle


Development: You're sleeping great and staying awake longer and playing now. Your little skinny self is filling out A LOT. You however hate evening. You cry for an hour or so at night for seemingly no reason at all. But you now lift your head up a whole lot more. Not quite all the way but there is a lot of muscle behind that neck now!

Concerns: You're still spitting up and crying in the evening. I know the latter isn't a "real" concern because I know it's just your "Witching Hour" but still it IS concerning. Crying for an hour can't be good.

Eating Habits: 1h30 - 2h during the day and twice at night

Sleeping Habits: Naps on and off all day, and sleeps pretty good at night except a few night

Health: No concerns here!

Special Moments-
Best: You got to talk to Grammy and Papa Jim plus your two cousins on skype! They all thought you were ridiculously beautiful!
Worst: The crying at 6-8pm every night

This Weeks Obseravations/Activities: It's our first week in our house and your first week in your room! I'm not sure how much you like it and it is a much longer walk from my bed but I think eventually you will sleep much better. I am a light sleeper and wake up for EVERY little sound you make so even though a couple of nights were not good I still got more sleep like this.

Pictures From The Week: