Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Sorry I've been absent

Ok...  I need to apologize for being absent from here.  I suppose it is a good thing really.  Seth is doing so well that I haven't thought much about updating.  My family, however, wants to know where new pictures are so I suppose I better get back in the saddle.  I cannot upload pictures this time because I am not of the computer with all the pictures.  I will try to remember to do that in the next few days.

Seth is, as I said, doing well.  He is such a sweet baby.  He will be 18 weeks on Friday (having shared his 4 month birthday with my 30something one on Sunday).  He is sleeping through the night until about 6:30 - 7:00 every morning.  He wakes up happy and talks.  He is quite the chatterbox.  He makes really serious faces too when he is talking.  It is quite sweet.  He has his 4 month appointment on Thurs. so I will update you on his stats then.  He is just over 11.5 pounds.  Still my peanut.  Nathan was 14.5 pounds at 7 weeks!!!  Quite a difference.  

We are also on an adventure to see what we can do to help Seth.  As many of you know, Nathan had been diagnosed with Autism three years ago at 2.5.  We went to see Dr. Jerry who set us on the path of the GFCF diet and supplements.  Well, Dr. Jerry says that there are a lot of things we do to help Seth be more "neuron typical".  Not sure exactly what that means, but we are ready to find out.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE my little guy, Downs or no Downs, but I want to do all that I can for him to make his life fuller.  Who knows, maybe God has a story to tell with him.

Well, I am going to sign off for now.  It has been a long day and a sad one at that.  I don't want to write about it right now - but for those of you that pray, please pray for me.  I got some hard news about someone in my family.  Please pray for healing and salvation.  

J.

Monday, March 16, 2009






Ugg..  we are having computer issues.  Sorry the pictures weren't with the last  post.  Oh well.  I will provide a better update later.  Never enough time!

Haircut, thumb and smiles

We have had a few big happenings - ok, big for a 3 month old.  

1.  Seth got his first hair cut.  I simply couldn't handle the mohawk any longer.  So, I cut about 1.5 inches off.  

2.  Seth is smiling!!  It is so sweet.  Catching a cute one on camera is not as easy, but he is smiling big!

3.  He found his thumb.  He has been trying for weeks now and finally found it.  He loves it!

4.  He is talking up a storm.  Cute goos and barks.  Love it!

We are having fun.  He will be 3 months on the 26th - ALREADY?!  He is about 9 lb, 12 oz.  

Friday, February 27, 2009

Lost Tooth and First Disney Trip


Sorry for those of you viewing this from the midwest...  yes we went to Disneyland with nice weather.  It was Seth's first official visit - through which he slept most of the time.  It was a nice short visit, 4-5 hours of Disney fun.  The nice thing is that we renewed our passes so we will be able to go back throughout the year.  

I had a surreal moment the other night.  I literally made a knot out of a piece of thread and tied it around Nathan's tooth and yanked it out!!  I actually remember losing my first teeth.  YIKES - I am really a mom!  Sometimes the realization these three little ones depend on ME!!  I think it is because Nathan is starting to form memories that I actually remember from being a kid.  Whew....










Friday, February 20, 2009

New Pics



Just wanted to share some new pics - esp. with the grandparents.  As you can see, Hannah got a pretty big haircut.  Her decision.  She wanted it to her cheek.  I am getting used to it.  Nate got a haircut too and Seth needs one!  I love this picture of the three siblings.  

Below, you see Seth on a large purple ball.  He receives physical therapy once a week and this was part of it.  Susan is working on him holding his head up.  She also works on him following objects with his eyes, smiling, talking, tummy time, etc.  He is an A+ student!!

Love the Star Wars shirt!! Our friends Matt and Shannon got that for Seth.  So cute!  It is a favorite of Nate's who is all about Star Wars right now.  Speaking of Nathan - he is SO close to losing his first tooth.  I will post pics of that when it happens.  


Sunday, February 15, 2009

Seth Update

Our little guy is still that...  little.  He had a dr. check up on Thurs. and at seven weeks, he still weighed less than both Nathan and Hannah did at birth.  He was 8 lb, 2 oz (Hannah was 8 lb 3 oz and Nathan was 8 lb 4 oz).  This is only the 25th percentile for the Downs growth chart.  He was 20.25 inches, also the 25th percentile.  His little peanut head is only 14 cm around which is the 5th percentile.  I always wanted a little one and I got it.  He is so sweet and cuddly.

Seth started his once a week therapy last week.  For an hour a week a sweet gal named Susan will be working with him to become more aware of the world around him, strengthening his muscles, and reaching his milestones.  Although on average, Downs kids are later on pretty much every milestone, this isn't always the case.  Seth is already lifting his head well.  I am just waiting for that first official "real" smile.  

Seth also had his first official photo shoot.  Our friend Andre took beautiful pictures of him.  Now we just need to get some taken of the whole family.  (I am having trouble uploading the pics....)

Hope you all are well!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Update - Jan. 24






Sorry that it has taken me 10 days to add a post.  I suppose you could say that I am busy.  It is a good busy though.  

Seth is doing GREAT!!  He was four weeks old as of yesterday which already seems crazy to me that he has been here that long.  He is my little peanut.  As of last Thurs., 1/15, he was up to 7 lb 5 oz.  I am estimating that he around 8 lbs now which is still smaller than either Hannah or Nathan at birth.  It is fun having a little one - neither Hannah or Nathan stayed "small" long.  

We had our surgeon follow-up last week as well.  The Dr. said everything looks great and that other than potential plastic surgery to fix where they closed up the omphalocele, nothing more is needed.  Seth is just a baby at this point - really.  He is on a good four hour schedule, is awake more which is fun, etc.  Although we have already met with Regional Center and he will start receiving services soon, not much more is needed for him right now.  I have been contacted by the Down Syndrome Assoc. of Orange Co., but don't know if I am going to start going to the meetings quite yet.  Eventually for sure, but for now he is just a typical baby.

Nate and Hannah are doing great as well.  Nathan is playing basketball and loving it.  I know that I am a proud mamma, but he really is very good.  He just has natural athletic ability.  Hannah has really come out of her shell since Seth got here.  She isn't as shy, is more vocal, etc.  It is really fun seeing her blossom.  She is currently doing gymnastics and says that she is actually going to play soccer in the fall.  We shall see.  

Yesterday, I got the gift of a nice long nap.  When I woke up and came out to the living room, I have to admit that I was a little groggy.  Nate and Mike were playing Mario Cart Wii which didn't surprise me.  All of a sudden I noticed something that made me LAUGH!!  There on Mike's shoulder was Seth!!  Mike is intently playing the game and Seth is relaxing on his shoulder - I had to take a couple of pics!!  It was too funny!  I also had to snap a shot of Hannah's hair in the trampoline!  Too cute.  

We have a genetics follow-up next week which I will keep you posted with .  Other than that, life is good and pretty normal!!  

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Dr. appointments, etc.






It has been a busy couple of weeks of dr. appointments and follow-ups.  It looks like things will slow down for a few weeks and then pick back up again.  

Friday we had our first meeting with Regional Center.  (For those of you that don't know what this is, it provides services for special needs children 0-3.)  We simply filled out all the paper work and had a consultation to get an understanding of what they will be providing for Seth.  He will be starting in about a month with sensory therapy.  Then, depending on how he meets his milestones, he will receive physical therapy, speech, etc.  The thing I didn't realize is that he will receive services through the regional center for his entire life.  WOW!  But, he is just 19 days old so let's not go there yet.

Yesterday we had our surgical follow-up.  It was a quick visit.  The dr. said that everything looks great!  I asked about the gas and poos (yes, he has still had a poo in EVERY diaper since he's been home!).  He simply said that some kids poo more and are more gassy.  Lucky me!  :)  The only thing for us to think about in the future concerning his surgery is possible plastic surgery on the faux belly button to make it smaller.  Other than that, no more visits to the surgeon.  Woo Hoo!!

We have our second pediatrician appt. tomorrow, a genetics appt. the first of Feb. and an opthamologist appt. in the next couple of months.  Other than that, he is just our sweet little boy.  He is on a great little schedule and only really fusses when his tummy hurts from the gas.  I couldn't ask for more.  

GOD IS SO GOOD!!  He truly answered every prayer!!  Every single one!!  For those of you who are skeptical, please know that prayer works.  I now really understand the verse "you get not because you ask not."


Thursday, January 8, 2009

Thurs. 1/8 - My Due Date




Today was the day that I had been anticipating for MONTHS!!  Thankfully, Seth decided to come two weeks early.  (I feel so bad for those of you moms that went past your due date!)  Seht has been blessing our lives for two weeks now!  It is amazing the difference between the first week and the second.  The first consisted of tubes, IVs, surgery, NICU, florescent lights, lots of noise, etc.  The second has been filled with many visitors, LOTS of sleep, many poopy diapers (every single one since he got home!!), adjusting to quiet, and lots of kisses from his big brother and sister.  Tomorrow starts our journey with the Regional Center and lots of "services" that he will be eligible for.  I will keep you posted on that.


Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Adjusting to Home


Seth has been home for four days now.  He is doing so incredibly well.  Honestly, we are really just adjusting to having a newborn.  He is slowly figuring out his day and night and giving mommy a little bit more sleep.  He by far prefers the bottle, which is ok.  

He had his first pediatrician appt. today which went really well.  He is up to 6lb 15 oz and apparently grew 1 3/4 inches in 12 days...  hmmm...  do you think that maybe someone's measuring was off somewhere?  For the next few weeks he will be toted around to several appointments.  I will keep you posted if there is anything interesting to report.

One slight prayer request for those of you that bless us with your prayers.  Hannah threw up twice this evening.  Although I think that it might be due to food, I am not sure.  The last thing that we need is for Seth to get sick - or anyone else really.  Please pray that she feels better soon and that no one else gets sick.  Thanks!


Saturday, January 3, 2009

Home Sweet Home





Seth has been home one full day and it has been wonderful.  He had a very sleepy day - which means that he and I had a party last night.  I didn't mind, really, because we haven't really seen him awake.  It was always hit or miss whether or not we would catch him awake in the NICU.  So, I would gladly trade a little sleep to hang out with my new man.

In the pictures you see (1) Seth's NICU bed, (2) Dad feeding the little guy, (3) Seth sleeping for the first time in his crib, and (4), (5) - The proud brother and sister holding their new brother.  

We had a little "party" last night welcoming Seth home.  Thanks for all the visits, offers of meals, etc.  Grandma Rita has been a rock star!  She has been cooking, organizing, cleaning, shopping, etc.  She is the one that needs a break!  

Friday, January 2, 2009

SETH IS HOME

I will post pictures tomorrow.  Seth finally got to come home around 3:30 today after waiting to get circumcised.  We had several visitors to welcome him home.  The poor little guy is so sleepy and only was awake for about 1/2 hour of the 7 hours he's been home.  It is an absolute amazing sight to see him all bundled in his bed.  I am off to try to catch a few Z's before I have to feed him later!!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Last Day in the NICU





That's right...  today was Seth's last day in the NICU.  He is coming home tomorrow!!  Amazing!  We were told a minimum of 1.5 - 2 weeks.  He beat it by 1/2 a week!  What a great 1 week birthday present!  He is still a very sleepy little guy and it makes feeding him a little bit of a challenge, but hey if that is all we have to contend with right now, bring it on!