3 Month Milestones

Henry is 3 months old!

**You're quickly approaching 13 lbs, which means you'll soon grow out of your size 1 diapers and 0-3 month clothes.

**At night, you typically wake to eat every 4 hours, but have ocasionally slept as long as 6 hours.

**Our goal is for you to eat 3-4 oz every 3 hours, and while you typically take only 2-3 oz, you're getting closer.  Meanwhile, we add a small scoop of formula to your milk to ensure you get enough calories. 

**You enjoy bathtime and your play mat, and still like your pacifier.

**You're right on track with your fine motor skills, such as cooing and smiling, but about a month delayed with your gross motor skills, like holding your head up during "tummy time".  This is to be expected, though, given your extended hospital stay.  With some time and a little extra attention, you're sure to catch up.  

**Your eyes are becoming a brilliant shade of blue.  I love that both my babies have their daddy's eyes.

**Last week, you were officially discharged from Spectrum Health's Continuing Care, which means no more weekly visits with Nurse Ruthie, Nurse Nicole and Speech Pathologist Dawn.  You're doing great, Buddy!  I can't wait to see what this coming month holds for you!

Pop Quiz

How well do you know your Puplis children?

There are moments when I think our babies look so similar, but in these pictures I can definitely appreciate their individual looks.  Difficult to compare though, because Claire is about 4 1/2 months at the time this picture was taken, and Henry here is not quite 3 months.  I'll be curious to see what the next few months reveal. 

So Long Summer

I know it still looks like summer, and it certainly still feels like summer, but in our house, we are longing for autumn.  Joe is back to school because they have a more balanced school year, and so we are beginning our farewell tribute to summer in an effort to wish the warm weather away and welcome a cool, crisp fall season.

It's been a different kind of summer.  In 6 weeks we've had 29 appointments with doctors, visiting nurses, and feeding specialists.  That's a lot.  But the stressfulness of our daily routine has been softened by sweet moments of love and laughter.  Here's a glimpse of our summer in snapshots.

 Claire's penchant for accesories led her to wear her bike helmet for 2 days straight.  Gotta love that!

While I appreciate her effort, the bathroom was more messy after I found her "cleaning the potty". 

Henry enjoys bathtime.  Notice how great his O. incision looks!

This one's for you, Kels!

Lazy summer day

 

My Little O. Baby looks like a Little Man 

Daddy-Daughter Date at the park.

More than anything, Claire has loved playing outside. 

This summer she's really enjoyed spending time at the lake.

Post-Op Check-Up

This afternoon we had another check-up with Dr. Uitvlugt, the surgeon who repaired Henry's omphalocele.  Everything considered, he was very pleased with Henry's progress.  With a surgery such as this, it's quite common for the skin around the incision to break down and for the patch that holds his muscles together to become exposed.  If this were to happen, it's not critical, it would just require an additional surgery to remove the patch.  However, at this point, the doctor sees no sign of such erosion, and so unless we start to notice the patch peeking through, we won't see him again until Henry is one year old.  He did mention, though, that he will likely want to remove the patch at that time.  While I'm not eager for Henry to have yet another surgery, he reassured me it would be a rather simple out-patient procedure.  So all in all, a good report.  

I am so grateful for Dr. Uitvlugt, such a wonderful surgeon and caring man.  Everytime I see him, I just have to hug him.  I feel indebted to him for my son's life and health.  I'm sure we will continue to pray for him and his practice.      

Twosies

My two year old and two month old.

Henry is doing well.  The speech pathologist, who sees him twice a week to work on his eating, feels he is beyond the feeding tube.  Nothing would thrill me more than to throw out all his feeding tube supplies!  She also feels that his feedings have been improving consistently, and if he has one more week of solid weight gain, we can start moving from a two hour to a three hour feeding schedule.  OK, that's perhaps the one thing that might thrill me more.  Way to go Henry!   

Claire continues to spread sunshine around our home.  Well, that and countless toys, books, and other household items.  She's become my little shadow, mimicking with her baby how I change Henry's diaper and give him bottles.  She'll say things like, "Oh, wow.  Good poopy diaper, baby."  Also, she's obsessed with the ABC song and sings it all day long.  You would think this would be endearing, but I tell ya, it gets a little old after a couple dozen times.  Nevertheless, she's a great little girl, and I always look forward to hearing what she's going to say next.   



07.07.11

Four years ago today...



Happy Anniversary, Honey! 
You're my best friend, my lifeline, my true love.  In times of hardship, you've supported me.  In times of celebration, you've danced with me.  I love you.

Andrew Peterson "Dancing in the Minefields"
" 'I do" are the two most famous last words.  The beginning of the end.
But to lose your life for another, I've heard, is a good place to begin.
Cause the only way to find your life, is to lay your own life down.
And I believe it's an easy price for the life that we've found."

Fourth of July

I hope everyone enjoyed their Fourth of July festivities.  What a perfect weekend to celebrate!  Here are some pictures of our day at the lake with Joe's family.

Lovin' the lake

The play-dough was also a hit!

On the boat with Grandma



Henry with Great Grandma...

...and Great Grandpa

The Men