Garrett - One Year!

Our precious third born son turned a year old on August 5. Praise God for his little life after my majorly complicated pregnancy. When I read the third bullet point of the diagnosis information of vasa previa, I can't help but get a chill down my spine and be that much more thankful for him. Despite the pregnancy and delivering him 6 weeks early, Baby Garrett is doing great!

This past month has included lots of transitions for him. He is crawling, YAY! He still is not very motivated to do it much but he can do it when he wants too. Even before he was crawling, he figured out how to scoot himself across the living room floor to the shelf that holds some puzzles, books, and a few toys and proceeded to scatter everything around. He switched from a bottle to a sippy cup with no problem. He also switched from formula to milk with no problem. He cut his second tooth (now he has both bottom front teeth). He is in the process of transitioning to one nap a day as opposed to two. He babbles and laughs a LOT. It is really funny to be around him just to watch him talk and laugh. He has pretty severe stranger anxiety. It makes me feel kind of bad when someone he doesn't know tries to talk to him and he screams like they just pinched him or something. He has quite a bit of separation anxiety too. I feel kind of bad for him when I walk around the corner (out of sight) and he screams his head off. Other than that, he is really fun and fairly laid back. His stats from his checkup are: 23.5lbs and 31in. Such a big boy!

We had a little party for his birthday. We were very blessed to have my mom, dad, and nephew, Conner, visiting from Indiana. My dad's birthday is August 6 and my mom's is August 7 so we had a celebration for everyone on Saturday. We had barbecue pork, corn on the cob, beans, cake, and ice cream. We had a pinata for the older kids (filled with granola bars, granola, raisins, fruit roll-ups, and blow pops...yes I caved and got one kind of candy). And, Baby Garrett got a few presents that included a v-tech drive and discover toy, school bus toy, puzzles, books, and a ball.

Garrett gnawed on his first corn on the cob:

And, he took down his first cupcake much like a wood chipper takes down a piece of wood:


Previous monthly posts: I can't believe it has been a year already.
11 months
10 months
9 months
8 months
7 months
6 months
5 months
4 months
3 months
2 months
1 month

Garrett - 11 Months

Has it really been a month? The last post was Garrett's 10 month picture, which means that yes, it has been a month since I updated my blog (yikes). I keep thinking that the months feel like weeks and this entire last year has felt like only a few months. Time needs to s-l-o-w down!
One year ago today I was admitted into the hospital at 30 weeks pregnant because of a condition known as Vasa previa. That trip to the hopsital confirmed that it was not fetal blood that I had been bleeding. However, since the condition had been diagnosed they didn't want to take any chances. They kept me in the hospital under close observation for a month and delivered Garrett at 34 weeks. If you are interested in reading more about that look at my July and early August posts from 2010 (I searched for one to link to here and they are all so different and yet so relevant I couldn't choose). I am so thankful that my specialist diagnosed the condition early and was not taking any chances. Praise God that Garrett was fine despite being 6 weeks early.

This month, he has finally shown some interest in becoming mobile which is sort of a love/hate relationship for him. He HATES being on the floor but he is starting to realize that is the only way he is ever going to learn how to get around. He is pretty good at moving himself backward. Now, he just has to figure out how to get on all fours and move himself forward! He actually is closer to standing than crawling so part of me wonders if he will just start walking and skip the whole crawling thing...who knows?
He cut his first tooth (see upside down photo below).
He has started to eat soft chunks of food pretty well. I am looking forward to only having one more month of buying and mixing formula.
He is making all kinds of sounds (except for mama) but he doesn't know what they mean yet.
I got him to wave hi and bye the other day but he hasn't done it again since then. He loves it when I sing or when we listen to music.
He is a busy boy and as time goes on we fully expect that he will be as busy if not busier (we better be on our toes) than his big brother.
This month he got his first bruise on his head by diving head first off of the couch. As you can tell, it doesn't seem to be bothering him too much. I also wanted to share that Kaley and Braedon could not be better big siblings. They both get toys or his pacifier for him if I am busy and he is crying. Braedon sometimes says, "chill!", which is hysterically funny (yep, he got that from me).

I also have a funny story about Kaley. In the car the other day she was playing with Garrett holding his hand and kind of batting at it. They were both laughing and having a good time. Daddy was driving so I was turning around periodically to see what they were up to. All the sudden Garrett starts screaming like he is in pain so I turn around and asked Kaley if she knew why he was crying. In the softest, calmest, cutest two year old girl voice says, "I just bit Baby Garrett's finger." I hastily turn around in my seat grab his hand to see teeth marks all the way around his finger. Poor little guy! BTW-I don't count this in the 'she is the best big sister ever' equation. It is the first time she has ever done anything remotely mean to him. The dear in the headlight look I got makes me think she didn't realize what she had done until he started screaming in pain.

Pictures:

I was trying to get him to leave the bear next to him. I said, "ok, Garrett, can you just leave the bear sitting here next to you for just a second." It looks like he has a look that is saying, "ok but you better hurry cause I am getting ready to snatch it up."

Love those cheeks!

This one is way too cute not to share.

I was trying to show the tooth but not sure if you can see it or not.

Garrett - 10 Months

Weighing in at 23 lbs, Garrett is still my little chunky monkey. He started sitting up at 9 months and is getting much better at it now. He has recently started lunging and diving at things. Besides that, he doesn't seem too interested in becoming mobile. He has recently started to get really mad if he is playing with something and I (or brother/sister) take it away. He started actively playing peek-a-boo by pulling the blanket over his head. Then, we say where's Garrett? He puts the blanket down and laughs. He learned how to clap his hands and loves doing that. I tried to get him to feed himself little bits of banana the other day but he just smashed them in his hand. I feel a couple of teeth but they haven't actually made their appearance yet. We had parent commissioning at church Sunday (on his 10 month birthday...how neat!)


Also, daddy made up something funny I want to share...
One of the shows the kids watch on PBS is Dinosaur Train. Daddy changed the words to one of the songs for each of the kids. It is pretty cute.
Garrett, he's a Chunkasaurus. He's the chunkiest baby in the Savasuk forest.
Braedon, he's a Sillysaurus. He's the silliest baby in the Savasuk forest.
Kaley, she's a Cutiesauraus. She's the cutest baby in the Savasuk forest.
I actually don't even know how the real song goes we just sing our renditions.

For comparison:
9 months
8 months
7 months
6 months
5 months
4 months
3 months
2 months
1 month

Garrett - 9 months

I can't believe my baby is three quarters of a year now...wow. I thought time moved fast before it is really flying by now. I feel like January was just yesterday. Garrett finally started sitting up. He seems to be accomplishing that a tad bit late. But, he was born 6 weeks early so who knows what schedule he will be on. In terms of size he has become a bit of a chunker. He weighs around 22 lbs. We go to the doc on Monday so I will have stats then. He loves the the safe feeder (I have the Munchkin brand). Braedon and Kaley never liked it but I tried it with Garrett and he loves it. I have put lots of different foods in it and he goes to town. He is almost sleeping through the night now. He is not eating anymore at night but he wakes up a few times and just needs his pacifier. I would start letting him settle himself except he is in our room and I don't want him to wake my husband. Here are some pictures of my sweet boy!






Previous posts:
8 months
7 months
6 months
5 months
4 months
3 months
2 months
1 month

Garrett - 8 Months

I am a few days late in this post but the picture was only taken one day late. Garrett turned 8 months on April 5 and the picture was taken April 6. We have had an eventful month.

He visited the dermatologist for his eczema and got some more cream and oral anti-itch medicine. The DR called it circular eczema or nummular dermatitis. All of his spots are almost gone now. A few things culminated at about the same time so I don't know what exactly has helped...cream from dermatologist, not nursing any longer, or the weather being warm enough to turn off the heaters. Whatever has happened, his spots are clearing up finally...after 3-4 months of dealing with it.

He has allergies and ended up with a double ear infection and RAD after being all runny when the pollen count rose so quickly a couple of weeks ago. We are still doing breathing treatments once a day and he still has antibiotics for another couple of days.

At the same time he was having allergy issues he refused to nurse and my milk supply decreased rapidly. So, he has been on formula for about three weeks now. He is eating and gaining weight like crazy. He gained about 4lbs in the last month bringing him to 19lbs now. Braedon and Kaley were never chubby. They were always long and thin and didn't have any rolls or anything. Garrett on the other hand, he has rolls on his legs, a double chin, and the deep crease at his wrist where his hand meets his forearm. Yep, Garrett is my little chunky baby! :-) I am pretty sure that as soon as he becomes mobile he will start to trim down some. For now, I am fine with it.

He is also starting to cut his first tooth. It is not really a bump on his gum yet but I can feel it if I push down on the gum. Of course, he is chewing on everything.

So, when he is cranky now, I really don't know if it is his eczema, breathing, teeth, or ears. Thankfully he hasn't been too cranky lately! And really in these pictures he looks like he should never be cranky but he can go from happy and smiling like this to screaming like I am ripping his arm off in a split second.


For comparison purposes here are the links to the previous posts:
7 months
6 months
5 months
4 months
3 months
2 months
1 month

An Afternoon Snack

There is something I love about babies gnawing on their hands and their feet. Especially their feet. It is a little challenge for them to grab it and put it into their mouth and it is so funny to watch! :-)
GOING:
GOING:

GONE!

Garrett - 4 Months

Look at that smile! Yes, it does completely melt my heart. We go to the doctor for his 4 month check soon but I am pretty sure he is in the 12 lb range. He loves the attention he gets from all of us and especially his brother and sister.

Garrett - 3 months

Here is our handsome, growing baby boy at 3 months. He is a lot more interactive now and smiles all the time. He coos and makes all different kinds of new, super-cute sounds. He loves getting attention from his brother and sister. And they love giving him attention. It has become one of our favorite things to do during Garrett's wake time is to lay him on Braedon's bed and all gather around to talk and play with him.


For comparison purposes, here are links to prior months:
1 month
2 month

Can I Get a Smile?

Garrett has been smiling at me but not on camera yet. Here is us trying to capture it.

Garrett is 2 Months

Here is the 2 month picture with the bear. Praise God that Garrett is gaining weight so well. He is still tiny but he gained 3 pound in 5 weeks and is up to 9lbs 4 oz and 22 1/2 inches long. I can't help but be a proud breastfeeding mama and so thankful that we are nursing successfully!

Kaley wanted to be in on the picture too!

1 Month (and 4 days)

I heard of the idea to take a picture of baby with the same bear each month during the first year. The idea is that you have consistent object to show his growth. I heard of it when I had my first two children but never got it started. I was reminded of the idea right when Garrett was about 1 month old. My great friend and the kid's "auntie Michelle" gave this bear to Garrett. I thought it would be neat to use it in this way. So, here is his 1 month picture with the bear but I was a few days late so it was actually taken on Sep 9 instead of Sep 5. Can't believe we have his two month coming up!!!!

Celebrating Life in God's Timing

Today would have made 40 weeks of pregnancy with Garrett and 9/16/2010 is what his official due date was. I know that he would not have been born on this date for one because my OB would have planned my repeat C-section at 39 weeks instead of 40. Additionally, rarely are babies actually born on their specific due date. It is all in God's timing. Since Garrett ended up being 6 weeks early today also marks his 6 week birthday. Knowing that the official due date was approaching, I was trying to think of a super-special post for today. I kept thinking the most special post is the one that glorifies my God. So, I thought I would recollect all of the ways God had his hand on our family throughout this pregnancy and birth of our precious third baby, Garrett.
We actually started "trying" to get pregnant several months before we were successful. Again it is all in God's timing. Looking at the circumstances of it all it would have been a LOT more difficult timing-wise if we had gotten pregnant sooner.
We knew that my work schedule was going to change after the third baby came. We were considering me stopping working at least two weeks before baby. The company I worked for was acquired and my position eliminated in April but the separation package carried us through the end of August, which was two weeks before Garrett's official due date.
Since I already was not working, I didn't have to miss any work when I was hospitalized in July.
God used all of the wonderful people He put in our lives to provide for our family while I was in the hospital. Childcare was our biggest need so that our situation would not impose too much on my husband's job. Over four weeks of being hospitalized my husband only had to take 4 unplanned vacation days because the rest of the childcare was covered by precious friends from our church.
God laid a woman on my heart who was also in the hospital down the hall from me. I don't know her or her circumstances but I knew she needed some encouragement. God gave me an idea of a unique way to minister to her. Therefore, I had the privelege of sending some encouragment her way.
My mother was able to come and help for three weeks after Garrett was born. That was followed by a week with Andrew's mom. What a blessing to have help for that long.
God used my hospital stay to strengthen our marriage and mature us as a couple.
The only explanation for the peace I had while in the hopsital was that it was peace straight from God.
God gave us peace about a planned pre-term delivery at 34 weeks and He is so faithful that He took care of every detail of Garrett's health. Though tiny, Garrett is as healthy as a full-term newborn. He only spent 20 hours in the NICU for observation because he did have some fluid on his lungs. However, it was not from prematurity and it cleared itself up by the morning following his birth.
There was some maternal risk involved with the c-section because of the previa but my faithful God had his hand all over that too. My c-section nurse told me that she had never seen anyone with previa have as little bleeding as I had. I told her it was all because of prayer and she said that God sure did work a miracle.
I was praying since I became pregnant that I would be successful at breastfeeding this baby (I was not successful with either of the first two). We are six weeks in, exclusively breastfeeding and Garrett is gaining weight good. Praise God.
These are just some of the ways God had his hand on us through our most recent adventure. I can't physically put words to everything but God is so into every single detail. Praise God for the hope and help that comes in any situation through knowing Him and His son Jesus Christ.

Baby Weight - A God Story

I know that God can do anything and I am so grateful that He had his hand on baby Garrett and me all the way through my pregnancy. Since about 13 weeks of pregnancy each sonogram I had showed that the baby was larger than expected. At one point, my specialist was concerned about gestational diabetes since the baby was measuring large. Near about 28 weeks, Garrett measured about two weeks bigger than his due date. Little did I know how significant that was until we planned his early delivery at 34 weeks gestation. Of course, God knew and planned it perfectly. I have had two other children, both of which have been average weight boy 7.11 and girl 7.2 both full-term babies. An average weight for 34 week gestation is about 4.12. Upon delivery at 34 weeks baby Garrett weighed: (drum roll please)

Now, of course, weight isn't the only thing to be concerned about with a pre-term baby but it is a significant factor because the more fat they have the easier it is to maintain their own body temperature. If they can't maintain their body temp that means more time in the NICU. Praise God, weight and body temp was not an issue for Garrett and he didn't have to spend any extra time in the NICU.

I Am Proud To Introduce...

Time has warped again and I can't believe my baby is over three weeks old now. I apologize to my dear friends and family that were looking for updates on this blog. I forgot how much of a sleep deprived/pain medicine induced fog I would be in for a little while. As soon as the pain started to feel better I had a setback because my incision became infected. The pain returned and all I felt like doing for a few more days was laying in bed. I also had the sort of feeling like wanting to hide away from reality in a dark cave with my new baby. I have to admit that I was and still am scared of life returning full speed so I have been wanting to take extra naps and have plenty of cuddle time with our newest blessing. Hence, no time to update my blog. There are so many God stories behind this pregnancy, birth, and Garrett's health after birth...God is so amazing and I am so grateful that everything turned out fine for Garrett and me after a complicated pregnancy. Without further ado, this is the face that I have been so blessed to be staring into over the past few weeks. Thank you God for our newest gift of life.