Devin turned 4 weeks last Sunday! He's getting so big so fast and though he hasn't been weighed in awhile, I'm pretty sure he's up over 8 pounds. Devin started cooing at around 3 weeks and had his first awake smile the at right around 1 month. I couldn't believe it the first time I saw it :) It totally transformed his face and melted my heart and turned on all those mushy feelings I've been waiting for since he was born. I don't know about everyone else, but the stress after birth of a newborn crying to be fed/changed/rocked/held does NOT turn on my maternal bonding instinct. But seeing him smile, boy, that sure did. :)
I think Devin has a normal temperment; He has good 2-3 hour blocks where he fusses every day and he really just wants to be held ALL the time. Devin cries alot, but I am pretty sure it's at the same level as other babies. I really don't have alot of experience with that since Luke was WAY EASY in comparison. I just keep in mind that this hard part where we don't have a schedule or really know eachother will be over soon.
Anyway, he's growing well, managed to avoid getting sick, and hitting all of his milestones right on time.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
The Weekend of Sickness
Saturday morning started just like any other weekend-day - full of promise of all the things Justin, Luke, Devin and I could go out and do.. That is until Luke regurgitated all of his breakfast. We were shocked as Luke has NEVER thrown up before; He spit-up quite a bit as a baby, but never full on puking. This continued for a few hours until the diarrhea started. And didn't end. The house had never smelled so foul and plastic bags with diapers piled up at the bottom of the stairs.
One horrible incident occurred right after nap time. In a hurry to put on Luke's diaper, I neglected to check the new diaper's placement. I didn't realize that it was only covering one but cheek until we heard a farting noise come from Luke as he was playing and looked down to see a pool of yellow-orange diahhrea at his feet. Ew. Poor little guy woke up after nap that same day yelling "MOMMY!" "YUCKIES!" I walked in and Luke was pressed up against one side of his crib, as far away as he could get from the puddle of puke at the other end.
Even though Lukas was throwing up and had nasty diapers, he played normally. He was a little lethargic but had no fever and was drinking plenty of liquids.
FAST FORWARD TO SUNDAY EVENING -
Justin complained after dinner that he wasn't feeling to good. I didn't think anything of it, figuring that it was just something he ate not sitting well. 11:30 rolled around and Justin began vomitting too. SO at 12:30am we packed up the kids and drove to Andrew's Air Force Base ER for Justin to get paperwork to have the day off. They diagnosed him with a viral infection, gave him a prescription for anti-nausea meds (which we didn't pick up), and sent him home at 2:30am. The kids and I waited in the car while Justin visited with the doctors. We were home and back in bed around 3:30am. Needless to say, there was not much sleep to be had that night.
The next day Justin slept and I took care of the kids, housework, and went to the grocery store. Luke was feeling much better. Justin was queasy, but not puking. So I went about my day as usual and made the mistake of not napping when Devin was asleep that afternoon. I even went so far as to tell Justin that the reason I wasn't sick was because I always take my multi-vitamin and eat a ton more vegetables than him. WELL I ate my words later that night.
In the middle Devin's second night feeding at 1:30 I started feeling not so great. I woke Justin up, gave him the kid, and hung myself over the toilet waiting for the relief that throwing up would bring. Sure enough the spaghetti and meatballs I had had for dinner made a reappearance. Thankfully Justin was able to tell his boss that I had become sick and to stay home to help me since I was barely able to function that morning. Justin even took Luke to his 18month well-baby appointment so that I didn't have to cancel!
Today is Wednesday and Luke is completely normal, Justin still feels a little weak, and I only had a few moments of queasiness today. Devin has remained mercifully unaffected.
A few things this has taught me: have a little more compassion for my child when he isn't feeling well (since I have no idea how much he is actually suffering), always disinfect my hands after changing a diaper, don't lecture my husband on healthy eating habits, and always ALWAYS clean my toddler's hands after playing with other children.
One horrible incident occurred right after nap time. In a hurry to put on Luke's diaper, I neglected to check the new diaper's placement. I didn't realize that it was only covering one but cheek until we heard a farting noise come from Luke as he was playing and looked down to see a pool of yellow-orange diahhrea at his feet. Ew. Poor little guy woke up after nap that same day yelling "MOMMY!" "YUCKIES!" I walked in and Luke was pressed up against one side of his crib, as far away as he could get from the puddle of puke at the other end.
Even though Lukas was throwing up and had nasty diapers, he played normally. He was a little lethargic but had no fever and was drinking plenty of liquids.
FAST FORWARD TO SUNDAY EVENING -
Justin complained after dinner that he wasn't feeling to good. I didn't think anything of it, figuring that it was just something he ate not sitting well. 11:30 rolled around and Justin began vomitting too. SO at 12:30am we packed up the kids and drove to Andrew's Air Force Base ER for Justin to get paperwork to have the day off. They diagnosed him with a viral infection, gave him a prescription for anti-nausea meds (which we didn't pick up), and sent him home at 2:30am. The kids and I waited in the car while Justin visited with the doctors. We were home and back in bed around 3:30am. Needless to say, there was not much sleep to be had that night.
The next day Justin slept and I took care of the kids, housework, and went to the grocery store. Luke was feeling much better. Justin was queasy, but not puking. So I went about my day as usual and made the mistake of not napping when Devin was asleep that afternoon. I even went so far as to tell Justin that the reason I wasn't sick was because I always take my multi-vitamin and eat a ton more vegetables than him. WELL I ate my words later that night.
In the middle Devin's second night feeding at 1:30 I started feeling not so great. I woke Justin up, gave him the kid, and hung myself over the toilet waiting for the relief that throwing up would bring. Sure enough the spaghetti and meatballs I had had for dinner made a reappearance. Thankfully Justin was able to tell his boss that I had become sick and to stay home to help me since I was barely able to function that morning. Justin even took Luke to his 18month well-baby appointment so that I didn't have to cancel!
Today is Wednesday and Luke is completely normal, Justin still feels a little weak, and I only had a few moments of queasiness today. Devin has remained mercifully unaffected.
A few things this has taught me: have a little more compassion for my child when he isn't feeling well (since I have no idea how much he is actually suffering), always disinfect my hands after changing a diaper, don't lecture my husband on healthy eating habits, and always ALWAYS clean my toddler's hands after playing with other children.
Devin's 2 Week Appointment
Devin's first appointment was cancelled because of the snow, but one of the wonderful ladies at DeWitt Pediatrics called to reschedule for that Saturday, February 13th. The pediatrician was wonderful, taking the time to explain different things and chat about the things I was concerned about.
Devin (at 20 days) gained a pound since birth, weighing in at 7lbs, 8oz (16th percentile for weight) and grew an inch and a half - making him 20.5 inches long (47th percentile for height). According to the doctor he has great neck strength and is completely normal and healthy. She mentioned that Devin has a small umbilical hernia, but that that is common and should go away by the time he is 5. No shots this time and we head back for our next appointment in roughly one month.
Devin (at 20 days) gained a pound since birth, weighing in at 7lbs, 8oz (16th percentile for weight) and grew an inch and a half - making him 20.5 inches long (47th percentile for height). According to the doctor he has great neck strength and is completely normal and healthy. She mentioned that Devin has a small umbilical hernia, but that that is common and should go away by the time he is 5. No shots this time and we head back for our next appointment in roughly one month.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Jess and Reese invade!
Our good friend Jessica Crandall visited us with her daughter Reese in the beginning of February. We hadn't seen Jess since we left Germany back in June, so we were very excited to see her and how much Reese had grown.
The first day of the visit Jess and I took the kids over to a small playground by our house. Reese and Lukas had a great time going down slides and running around, but played separately for the most part. On Friday we visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - which also happened to be the same day that Snowmageddon began. Jess hadn't brought any winter-wear with her, so her toes froze in her tennis shoes :(
The rest of the weekend we spent bumming around the house watching T.V. and letting the kids play.
Monday rolled around and Jess decided to catch a hop back to Germany since there were a couple flights going out and no way to know if there would be more available the next day. Before she left, Luke and Reese had a good 20-minute dance party in the living room. They both twirled around, falling down laughing and screaming. It was super cute :)
While we were sad to see them leave, we know they'll be back at the end of March. Can't wait to see you guys!
The first day of the visit Jess and I took the kids over to a small playground by our house. Reese and Lukas had a great time going down slides and running around, but played separately for the most part. On Friday we visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - which also happened to be the same day that Snowmageddon began. Jess hadn't brought any winter-wear with her, so her toes froze in her tennis shoes :(
The rest of the weekend we spent bumming around the house watching T.V. and letting the kids play.
Monday rolled around and Jess decided to catch a hop back to Germany since there were a couple flights going out and no way to know if there would be more available the next day. Before she left, Luke and Reese had a good 20-minute dance party in the living room. They both twirled around, falling down laughing and screaming. It was super cute :)
While we were sad to see them leave, we know they'll be back at the end of March. Can't wait to see you guys!
Snowmageddon in DC
For the past 5 days DC has been getting snowed on like crazy. We have gotten around 3 feet and it has basically shut the city and surrounding area down. The snow plows stopped plowing today because it is too dangerous, and even before that the roads were very bad. Roads are covered with packed snow making it super dangerous to travel - which I had to do on Monday.
Devin's 2 week well-baby appointment was on Monday, so Jess and I packed the kids up, met some of Jess's friends for lunch, and headed over to Fort Belvoir. After driving on some perilous roads that made a 20 minute trip into a 45 minute one, we were met with a big sign that said all medical appointments had been cancelled. This morning Justin received a message that all medical appointments were cancelled for the remainder of the week. No weight check for Devin this week!
The base is now operating on emergency personnel only and Justin has gotten a bunch of days off of work now.
The plus side of the snow is that we can play in it! Justin built an igloo on our back porch using the table, some chairs and, of course, the snow. He's quite proud of it and has some water on the back porch waiting to pour over it and freeze. Also all of the weather and news stations are covering the snowstorm exclusively and have given it funny names like "The Curse of Snowbama," "Snowmageddon," and "Snowpocalypse."
The negative to all the snow is that Justin has had to shovel the driveway over 10 times now.. but I guess it's good exercise. :)
Devin's 2 week well-baby appointment was on Monday, so Jess and I packed the kids up, met some of Jess's friends for lunch, and headed over to Fort Belvoir. After driving on some perilous roads that made a 20 minute trip into a 45 minute one, we were met with a big sign that said all medical appointments had been cancelled. This morning Justin received a message that all medical appointments were cancelled for the remainder of the week. No weight check for Devin this week!
The base is now operating on emergency personnel only and Justin has gotten a bunch of days off of work now.
The plus side of the snow is that we can play in it! Justin built an igloo on our back porch using the table, some chairs and, of course, the snow. He's quite proud of it and has some water on the back porch waiting to pour over it and freeze. Also all of the weather and news stations are covering the snowstorm exclusively and have given it funny names like "The Curse of Snowbama," "Snowmageddon," and "Snowpocalypse."
The negative to all the snow is that Justin has had to shovel the driveway over 10 times now.. but I guess it's good exercise. :)
Devin Is Here
1-24-10
Devin Miles Lemmon arrived at 11:30am on Sunday, January 24th after 13.5 hours of labor. He weighed in at 6lbs 8.1oz and was 19 inches long. At first he had a little breathing difficulty because of fluid, so he was taken to the nursery for about 4 hours for observation. My nurse was Lori (she was an angel helping me through the bad part of labor) and I had a nice, short stay in the hospital - we were out a little over 24 hours later. Devin was born with lots of black hair, just like his brother and my first impression of him was that he was so unbelievably tiny. Everyone commented on how much hair he has and 2 weeks later it is starting to fall out. :(
He is now 2.5 weeks old and we are starting to get into a nice rhythm. Devin sleeps very well at night (usually 11-3 then until 6). Lukas is very loving to Devin, wanting to hold, hug and kiss him all the time. I'm pretty sure these two are going to be best buds in the coming years. Devin doesn't seem to be colicky at all, though he does like to eat ALL the time. He wets out of his diapers pretty frequently. I think that it is because I only bought diapers that fit 8+ lb babies.
It's funny how much less you worry about or agonize over when you are past your first child. I remember bathing Luke much more frequently and keeping track of every feeding/diaper change/etc. As long as he seems healthy, I'm not going to get excited :)
There isn't too much more to say. Devin eats/sleeps/poops and that's about it for now. Luckily we've had lots of snow so Justin hasn't been able to go to work - meaning I have extra help! I am a little bit nervous about when he goes back to work. Surviving a day with a 19 month old and a newborn solo is going to be a challenge!
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