Grant is 1!!

Grant turned ONE on March 20!  I can't believe how fast his first year went by.  I can't help but feel that he got "gipped" a little bit because I was in school and super stressed for most of his first year.  It's all for the best though.

I had to work on Grant's birthday this year, but bought him a "smash cake" from Harvey's.  He DUG IN.  He LOVED it! I sent cookies with him to "school" that day for his little class to celebrate him, but they called around lunch and he was running fever and had some diarrhea (they are supposed to be sick on their birthday right?  I think that is an unwritten rule somewhere.) We celebrated as our small little family of four.  It was perfect.  I held him tight before bed that night.

A few weeks later we had a "Construction Themed" party.  It was SO cute.  It was supposed to be outside at the playground at the state park.  It rained CATS AND DOGS that day though!  We were in a dry spell, so even though it altered his party a little, we were grateful for the rain.

We got Grant a big dump truck and he LOVED it.  He wasn't walking yet, but he pushed it around and sat in it.  His favorite was sitting in it and letting others push him.

He got another smash cake at his party and tore into that one too.  He is such a happy baby boy.

Grant started walking about a month after his birthday.  I know it's terrible, but I can't remember the exact day?  He had been taking "steps" for months.  Probably a good 3 months, and then it was just like one day he realized he could really walk.  He never did fall.  I think that is why I  can't really remember, because he started with a step, then a couple days later two, then three, then walking from the sofa to the loveseat, then running through the house over a period of several months. 

He is still small.  In the 6th percentile for height.  We also found out he was anemic shortly after his first birthday... so he was on iron.  But looking at him he has little fat rolls on his legs and arms.

Grant nursed until he was about 14 months old.  He got to where he would just nurse on one side, and only in the mornings.  It was a sad day when he didn't want to anymore :(:(

He is in size 12 months shirts and size 9-12 month shorts/pants. He is in size 5 shoe now.

Grant is ALL BOY.  He hits.  He loves to eat.  He plays with tractors and loves all things trucks and dogs.

He is also still a Mama's boy.  In the same though, he cries when his Daddy leaves him.  He loves to ride on the Ranger.  He adores both of his Papas (and the feeling is mutual.)

He is sleeping all through the night.  As a matter of fact, on the weekend he will sleep until 10-10:30?????  I can lay him down in his crib at 8:30-9:30 and he goes right to sleep. (He is not sleeping in our bed, thank Goodness.... Because I don't know how much more we could fit in our bed.)

He loves milk and is a cookie monster.

Grant also has a TEMPER.  Whew, he can get mad.  When he gets mad he hits me or himself.  He will also grunt until he is real red in the face.  I can also roll his bottom lip out farther than any other baby I think.  I know I shouldn't laugh, but it is funny when he does it.

He can say hey, bye, dog, mama, daddy, Papa, and this.  He isn't talking a lot, but I know it will come.  He knows what a lot of things are, because if I tell him to go do something, or get something he does.

Grant,
You are a sweet boy.  And so handsome.  It has been so much fun watching you grow.  I can not believe you are over a year old.  Your first year went by so fast.  I am so proud of you.  I can't believe you are considered a toddler now.  You will always be my baby though.
I love you a bushel and a peck!
Mama

Grant- 4 Months Old

So A LOT has happened since BabyBoy's three month birthday!

 

Starting with a trip to the ER!

 

 

It was Saturday, July 5- we had a great Fourth of July and celebrated; he never showed any signs of being sick at all!  He was his usual happy-go-lucky self.  That Saturday morning was pretty weird because went back to sleep that morning around 6 after  nursing and slept until 9:30.  I just thought maybe he was tired because we were out late watching fireworks the night before.  I was holding him while working on some homework and he felt hot, but he is also a hot natured little boy.  We went to my moms around 11 that morning and when I got him out of the carseat he was HOT.  He had also fell right back asleep when we got in the car.  I took his temp and watched the numbers climb.  Yikes!  A temp of 102.  (Let me be honest and say I freaked.)  Even with my nursing background and all, and now almost a Master's degree in nursing, when it comes to my own babes I loss all sense.  I called his pediatrician and she said to give him Tylenol and call her if it didn't go down.  Well, the Tylenol didn't touch it.  I called her back and she said because of his young age and all he probably needed to go to the ER and get worked up. 



So a temp of 103, 4 sticks for an IV, chest x ray, blood work and a urine sample later we were sent home with "it's probably viral."  Which it was, Thank God.  In the back of my mind I figured it was, but didn't want to risk it being something major, so I was glad I took him.  He broke out in a rash two days later after fever.  Roseola.

Grant and his rash :(



Now, if nothing else, this taught me a major lesson if I ever treat children.  The ER doctor treated me like I was the World's Most Stupid Mother.  It shouldn't matter... it shouldn't matter if he was my first child, my fifth child, if I am a nurse or not.  He is MY child and I was concerned. Bottom line.  It's not like I had anywhere else to take him on a Saturday afternoon?!  I was scared to death of exposing him to something in the ER, so it truly was a last resort.  Believe me, Mr. ER Doctor, I would rather spend my money and time ELSEWHERE!

 

 

 





Okay, back to BabyBoy... He recovered from the virus (Praise the Lord), but during his sickness he got ummm... how do I say this.... spoiled.  He now thinks he is supposed to sleep in our bed and nurse on me all night long.  Needless to say, this is about to change. Somehow. Some way.  He had GOT to start sleeping longer stretches at night.  I have tried everything.  I have tried letting him sleep in the swing, rocking him to sleep, letting him go to sleep on his own.  Everything... but plain ole' crying it out.  Which is what it might take, I just don't have the nerve yet.

He has also started to realize when I am in the room.  When I pick him from day care he just smiles and kicks and is so happy to see me.  He will also watch me and whine when I walk of the room.  Sometimes I will catch him just staring at me or Matt and as soon as we look at him he just grins from ear to ear.

What else are we up to?

Obviously not sleeping through the night....yet.

Taking two naps during the day (sometimes a short cat nap in the late evening)

Nursing or taking a bottle (of Mommy's Milk) every 3-4 hours.

Bedtime roughly around 8:30-9pm

Size 3-6 months or 6 months clothes

Size 2 Diapers

Smiling, cooing, laughing, talking

Not screaming as bad in his car seat (THANK YOU JESUS!)

Rolling from back-to-front and front-to-back (he did this for the first time about a week before he turned 4 months)

 

Weight: 14 lbs 12 oz

Height: 24 1/2 inches

 

What does Grant like?

Mommy's milk

His paci and fingers

Sophie the Giraffe, teething toys, and Lovie blankets

His coordination is getting better where he can grab stuff and put it in his mouth

Watching the TV (it's not like I let him sit and watch TV but he just stares in awe at it)

He loves being kissed and loved on.  He will just belly laugh.  It is precious. Especially when NK is the one talking to him... which she does... ALL THE TIME.

A pallet.  I think he would rather be on a pallet on the floor than in his swing.

 

 

 

So, I know they say every kid is different, and I now believe it.  Norah Kate and him are really different. One big thing is Norah Kate was hungry for real food at like 3 months, but I held her off until 4 months.  I actually wasn't going to offer it to Grant quite yet, but decided to because I hoped it would help him sleep longer at night.  Well, it might would if he actually liked it.  He hates it.  He won't even open his mouth hardly.  Poor fella gags just when the spoon hits his mouth :(  So far, we have tried rice cereal, sweet potatoes, and bananas.  He doesn't like any of it.  I know it will grow on him eventually.

 

So I know he looks happy, but only because I was done forcing the spoon in his mouth! haha!



 

Grant,

I can't believe how fast this last month has gone by!  That trip to the ER really scared me sweet boy, and really made me put things in perspective.  You and NK are my world, and I would be lost without you!  While things are a little tough and sleep deprived right now, I wouldn't trade it for ANYTHING!  Your little smile and sweet personality brightens my day! 

 

I love you a bushel and a peck!!

Mama

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Grant- One Month Old

I can't believe my sweet baby boy is already a month old!  At least I was forewarned with Norah Kate how quickly time goes by when they are babies.  I was telling a friend of mine how it is so sad that it goes by so fast, even though you are looking forward to more sleep at night, a healed body, a more rested mind, and a glimmer of a routine, the first few weeks are SO precious and the babies change drastically through that first month!



Coming home from the hospital (1 day old)

Grant is a great baby!  Really, I mean, if I knew it was gonna be this easy the second go around I wouldn't have been so nervous.  Of course, there is very little sleep and a lot of eating going on around my house, there is no sign of a routine even in sight, and we have our moments of exhaustion, frustration, and desperation, but overall it has been much easier (for me anyways) this time.

I had a terrible time with my hormones after Norah Kate, I mean, those baby blues made me slap crazy, so I terrified this time that they would come back or be worse.  I honestly don't think I have even had a touch of them.  I have only had a few moments of tearfulness or moodiness.  It was actually weird/scary how GOOD I felt after I had him.  I was so happy and had energy and my body felt great (my body appreciated 7lbs of baby SO MUCH BETTER than almost 9lbs of baby with NK, I have healed faster/easier.  Heck, I was cleaning house when he was days old, walking when he was a week old and went for my first "run" at 2 weeks).  I felt so much contentment and love towards my babies.  I kept waiting for those "blues" to hit, but fortunately they never did!!

Now, don't let me paint this beautiful picture of motherhood with an infant and a 2 year old.  I have struggled keeping up with both of them because a lot of time Norah Kate gets a little jealous (she is still a baby after all, and for those that know about mine and her relationship she is very close to her mommy).  I try to spend time with her when he is napping or content, but usually she don't want anything to do with me until he is crying or hungry or needing something. I get overwhelmed sometimes when they both need me at the same time.  And bedtime around this household... holy cow... I just hang on tight and pray fervently until they are both asleep.  A lot of times I am wishing I had a nerve pill and a glass of wine to help me through those crazy hours.

I told my mama the other day that bedtime around here feels like a marathon.  That I usually want to quit, but I can't, I have to keep going and that I am trying to beat my "time" from the night before.  Or at least try to get it to go "smoother."  Ha!  I am hoping that with time we get more of a routine down. 

Also, it hasn't helped matters that for the last two to three weeks my husband has been transplanting tobacco, so bless him, he has left the house around 6:30 and not been home until well after bedtime (9:30-10).  Which means I have been manning this ship all by my lonesome.  He has been home this week and it has been WONDERFUL!!  I don't see how single mamas do it.  I dread the summer months when he gets real busy again.

Back to Big Boy Grant.

Eating:

He is eating wonderfully!  He treats his mama like an all day, all you can eat buffet.  His eating habits are still unpredictable.  Sometimes he will go 3 hours without eating, then he will nurse every hour for 3 hours off and on, basically though he eats around 10-12 times a day.  I just nurse on demand regardless of if it has been 30 minutes or 2 hours... just when he wakes up and acts hungry.  I am not complaining though because I haven't gone through any latch issues, rejecting issues, etc like I did with Norah Kate.  No sir, he nurses like a champ.  You can tell it too in his clothes.  Some of his newborn stuff is too tight and we outgrew newborn diapers when he was a little over 2 weeks old.  He can wear a few of his 0-3 month clothes but they are long.

It's funny because I bought nipple shields, manual pumps, bottles, etc in case I had all the issues I did with NK, but haven't needed any of that!  I have used the pump though, only to relieve some engorgement, and I just introduced a bottle last week.  He takes a bottle good (3 oz, but I can't tell if it satisfies him or not because I usually end up nursing him again within an hour).  So far he takes a NUK, Avent, and Medela bottles/nipples without any trouble.  He is not a big fan of a paci right now either.  He gags and spits it out.  Poor thing has a very sensitive gag reflex.

Grant lost down to 6lbs 11oz right before we left the hospital that Friday, but he had gained back to birth weight (7lbs 1oz) by Monday when I had to take him for a weight and bilirubin check.  He was slightly jaundiced, but nothing requiring a hospital readmission.  We had to go back to the doctor for another weight check and check up the following Monday and he weight 7lbs 13 oz.  They told me then that one of his lab results came back abnormal from his PKU/metabolic screen so we had to have more blood drawn but everything came back perfectly normal after that :)

At our 1st doctors visit (4 days old)

I have weighed him at home and he weighs about 9.5 lbs according to my scales... We don't go back to the doctor until May 2nd so I am curious to see how much he has gained.

Sleep:
Sleep?  What's that?  Routine?  What?!
Right now, its sleep when we can, where we can, for as long as we can.  Ha!

Usually I start winding the household down at around 5:30-6 with supper for NK and a bath for Grant.  Grant usually nurses and then FIGHTS sleep.  I mean, that boy, he will fall asleep for about 10 minutes and just when I lay him down he starts fussing.  Usually its about 9-9:30 before we are all asleep for a good stretch.  I haven't really even tried to establish a routine until the last week or so because we were all just figuring things out. (Which of course that first week, before he became alert, was a piece of cake because I could just nurse him and put him down wherever and he would sleep... now that he is more alert it's a little more difficult) It would probably run a little smoother if I could rock him longer or if it were more quiet, but with a 2 year old running around who needs to eat, get a bath, and trying to settle herself down as well, it just ain't happening.

Sleeping in the cradle/rocker

Also, he doesn't like sleeping flat.  When I had him in the basinet flat he was up almost every hour at night. Whew, talk about exhausting.  So I borrowed the SnugAMonkey cradle rocker thing from my sister in law and that is where we start out the night.  Then we sleep in the recliner for a little bit because I fall asleep while nursing him, then we move to the swing or couch in the living room.  Crazy right?  It will get better.

He has just starting giving me 3-4 hour stretches some nights though, then we will have some nights were we are up every 2 hours.  This too will get better.  I know he will sleep through the night eventually :)  For now, I will be grateful for those 3-4 hours of sleep I get at a time!

(I think that's why it might be easier the second time- because you are prepared, you know that the sleepless nights will end, that tomorrow is a new day, that this time passes quickly, that it is okay to answer the door for your neighbor in your pjs at 2pm, it is all ok.  This is normal, for now.)

Personality
He has started to act like he notices me when I pick him up or walk in front of him.  His expression changes and I have just started getting a slight smile from him.

He isn't too crazy about tummy time, but we are working on it.

He will just sit and stare at NK when I have him on the floor.  She entertains him and I know he will enjoy watching her even more as he grows.

Grant is developing a temper.  He don't cry much, but when he does he will get sweated down and almost turn purple from holding his breath while crying.  He might just be a spit fire like his sister.

Things he likes
The swing
Being worn in the Baby K'tan baby carrier (I have started "wearing" him so that maybe he will like being in the carrier more than NK, it sure will make housework/cooking/taking care of NK easier.  So far he likes it)
Laying on mommy's chest (and I love letting him snuggle there!)
Nursie (Matt's name he gave feeding/eating time when I had NK)
Riding in the car
Sleeping with mommy (while I do not agree with letting them sleep in the bed with you while they are super little, there have been several instances where I have fallen asleep nursing him in the bed or on the couch and he sleep SO good while he is next to me... so I can see where it is tempting just to let them sleep in the bed with you.  It scares me though, because I know its not safe.)

Things he doesn't like
Not being held or rocked to sleep (spoiled already)
Goings to sleep at night time
a pacifier (although Norah Kate swears he should have one.  I have caught her shoving/forcing it in his mouth more than once!)
cold wipes (poor baby will almost crawl out of his skin!)

Grant,
Mama loves you so much and you have already brought so much joy to our life.  You are such a blessing to us and I can't wait to watch you grow.  I know this time will go by way too fast and am trying to cherish every moment!  You are such a good baby and thank you for being patient with me while I juggle you and your sister.  You are a sweet boy and a precious addition to our family!

Love,
Mama

Yes, that is both of my babies in our bed.

Wee morning hour snuggles.

His favorite spot!

 

Grant Samuel Thompson

.

Grant Samuel Thompson
1:32pm
7lb 1oz
19.5 inches long
Proud Parents: Matt & Katie
Proud Big Sister: Norah Kate



Once again I was blessed with a wonderful labor and delivery.  I was much more anxious leading up to this delivery, I guess because I knew how bad the pain could be and of course their was the nagging worry of the things that could go wrong.  I actually almost backed out of my induction I was that nervous!  I prayed for God to let me make the right choice about being induced and to not let me be hasty.  The strange thing though, when we were on the way to the hospital I felt so much peace and by the time they got the process started I was so EXCITED.

 

I went to the doctor on Tuesday March 18 for a check and an ultrasound.  I was 1cm and 50% effaced.  Grant looked great on the ultrasound and they estimated his weight at 7lbs and 4oz.  I was a little shocked by this because Norah Kate had always measured so big, so I still was expecting an 8lb baby.

 

I was to be admitted to the hospital Wednesday night at midnight for the Cytotec.  My progress was VERY similar to Norah Kate's.  I actually labored for almost exactly the same time.  With Norah Kate I got the first dose of Cytotec at 11pm and delivered at 10:40 am and with Grant I got the first dose at 1am and delivered at 13:22pm. 

 

Anyways...

 

When they hooked me up to the monitor and started my IV I was already 2cm (progress from even the day before) and already contracting regularly (every 3-4 minutes).  I knew I had been contracting for a while!!  They weren't painful contractions though, I could barely feel them.  I got my first dose of Cytotec at 1am.  The first dose of Cytotec didn't make me hurt, but continued making me have regular contractions.  Grant's heart rate looked great :)

 

At 3:25am I started having back labor, but it wasn't unbearable.  I was just hoping it meant I was dilating more.  Needless to say though, I got ZERO sleep!  Between the excitement and the contractions and being hooked up to everything and having to pee every 30 minutes... I just watched the second hand tick on by.  Matt slept though!

 

I got the second dose of Cytotec at 5:10 and just like with NK, I started feeling the contractions almost immediately!  This time though I had lots of back labor.  Let me just tell you something about back labor, that mess hurts!  It wasn't unbearable though and I wanted to wait on my epidural until I was more dilated.  I also decided against any IV pain medicine this time because the Demerol I received with Norah Kate made me terribly sick... and drunk... and miserable.  I was only 3cm, but at least I was progressing.  Since I was starting to hurt and really feeling the contractions, and because of my history of fast progression, we went ahead and called our mamas and sisters in at about 6:30 (we told everyone to just stay home until we called, there was no sense in nobody getting sleep that night).

 

Around 8:00 I stood up at bedside and started to rock back and forth, trying to move him on down the birth canal.  It also helped tremendously with my back labor.  For a while I couldn't feel the contractions as much when I was standing up.... but the story changed shortly.  Because I was contracting so frequently (2 minutes apart now) they decided to hold off on the Cytotec.  I started considering the epidural around 9:30 because I was getting pretty uncomfortable and I didn't want to get in unbearable pain before the epidural...but I kinda wanted to be dilated a little more.

 



 

Dr. Asbury broke my water at 9:40 and I was still 3cm.  I was getting nervous then because I was hurting but not progressing a lot.  I went ahead and asked for my epidural.  My mistake- I should have gotten the epidural BEFORE they broke my water.  The actual "breaking the water" doesn't hurt... no.. it's those contractions AFTER.  I didn't realize how much all the fluid helped cushion the pain.  Oh. my. goodness.  The next hour and twenty minutes was torture.

 

I do not tolerate pain and I am a wimp.  There.  I said it.  I am not even going to pretend I am tough.  There was no pictures taken during my intense labor pain.  I think my family was afraid to even talk around me.  I also became angry towards my husband during this time... he was catching cat naps during my discomfort.  I may or may not have threatened him bodily harm through gritted teeth ;)

 

I was hurting very bad.  I wanted to get up and walk or do something, but I could barely move for the pain.  I just kept breathing while my fluid boluses were going in.  I kept watching that bag of LR wishing they could have pressure bagged it in!  When it finished, then I had to wait on my anesthesiologist to get out of a surgery so he could come in.  I have never been so glad to see someone walk in my room!!  Man, oh, man.

 

I got my epidural at 11 and was dilated 4-5 cm.  At 11:15 I started feeling very nauseated and I couldn't feel my face.  My blood pressure had bottomed out despite the boluses and Grant's heart rate started dropping.  I wasn't worried too much about my blood pressure, because as an ICU nurse I have seen patient's bounce back from extremely low blood pressures, but seeing his heart rate drop was VERY scary and I started panicking a little.  They gave me ephedrine and reglan for my blood pressure and nausea and I felt better within minutes.  They checked me again at 11:25 and I was 5-6 cm.  After all the excitement and now that I was finally relaxed, I had the best 30 minute nap a girl could ask for!  I fell asleep before the nurses could even walk out of the room.

 

Woo hoo for Epidurals!!

 



 

I woke up at 11:50 and was feeling a LOT of pressure.  8cm!  By 12:15 I was 9cm.  My poor nurses were in a delivery next door and the pressure was getting intense.  I felt like he was coming out whether I wanted him to or not!

 

I was complete at 1:22 pm and Dr. Asbury came in and told me to show her if it was gonna be quick or take a while.  I gave a good push and she laughed and went ahead and put on her gown.  It was gonna be quick. 

 

I pushed for a total of 10 minutes and my sweet baby boy was here! 

 

I hate the movies, when they show three pushes and the baby is here... because its hard work.  Much harder than three pushes.  Even though I only pushed for 10 minutes, it was still harder than 3 pushes!

 



 

When Grant got here the cord was wrapped around his neck and it seemed like an eternity before he had that first good cry and pinked up. But he did. 

(This is when it sucks being a nurse... I saw the cord around his neck, I panicked when he didn't pink up right away... I remember that gut sinking feeling when Dr Asbury asked for some oxygen -which he ended up not needing- I remember frantically looking at the nursery nurse saying "he is still blue, he is still blue, what's wrong?". I remember wanting to get up and run to the warmer to check on my baby.  Wanting him to be okay.  Wanting to help but feeling helpless.  Hearing that "tone" in the doctors in nurses voice... the one I am familiar with because we use it in the Unit.  The tone where you appear calm as to not worry the family, but there is a sense of urgency under your tone.  Feeling like it lasted an eternity when it was only seconds.)

Thank you Jesus.  Thank you Lord for a healthy baby boy!  Thank you Lord for allowing me to get him out quickly before something happened.  Thank you Lord for telling me to go a head and get induced.  And Thank you Lord for letting him only be 7lbs so that I could push him out in 10 minutes instead of an hour.

 

Grant nursed IMMEDIATELY after he was born.  They tried to put him on my chest right from the start but because he was a little blue still I was panicking and they took him to the warmer for just a second.  He pinked right up and they brought him to me.  He was sucking his hand and latched to me right away.  He was perfect.  One of the most beautiful things I had ever seen (comparable only to Norah Kate).

 

Norah Kate had to really check out Baby Brother and Mama.  She was curious about my IV, name bracelet, Grant's umbilical cord, and all the machines in the room.  She wanted to look at his ears, his hands, feet, and belly.  It was precious.  She also kept looking at my belly.  She learned her first lesson about Mommy's Milk too, and how Grant drank only Mommy's Milk.



 

I am forever grateful that I got a second blessing from God and got to witness this miracle of life and be a part of it.  Thank  you Jesus for my sweet family!