Nelsonblog

I’ve just registered the new domain www.nelsonblog.com!

It’s installed- and the old website address should redirect OK. (I hope) A few of the older links might still be wonky- I’ll get to them eventually.

Please update your bookmarks!

Sorry about the light blogging over the past few weeks. Evan has been keeping us very busy.

Console yourself by checking out some great pictures we’ve been taking, though!

Evan has just been smiling up a STORM of late. It’s really wonderful. Take a look!

Isn’t he great?

Some other favorites…

Evan is growing by leaps and bounds. He is ABSOLUTELY amazing! Things that Evan has been up to…

Smiling – Evan began to show signs of smiles at 3 weeks and seemed to smile at anything. Even when sleeping Evan would smile. Around 5 weeks Evan became more responsive with his smiles and when we smiled at him he would return his big grin. Evan is now a very smiley child – he likes to move his head back and forth and grin.

Cooing – Evan began to make cooing sounds around week 6. At first he would just make random sounds throughout the day and as time went on he has begun to make sounds more and more. Around the end of the 7th week Evan was more talkative and became more responsive and started to ‘chat’ with us. Now Evan is exercising his lungs and cooing at mom, dad, his duckie, and anything else he can see. It has been fun just sitting with Evan and having a conversation – he loves to be imitated and when I ask him questions he tries to respond with his vowel sounds “ahh, ooh, yah”. Evan is on track with his communication skills – most babies begin to coo between their 2nd and 4th month – is is SO encouraging to see Evan developing at a good pace.

Muscle development – Evan is also on track with his muscle development. When he lies on his tummy he holds up his head for a few seconds and then back down again – he has done up to 12 push ups with his head before he gets restless and wants off his tummy. Also, when holding Evan upright he can pretty much hold up his own head – we don’t have to support it. Evan has found turning his head to the side a lot easier and does it quite often – he can easily turn his head to the right and left when sitting upright in his swing, carseat, or bouncer – he is also quick to turn his head when he is spoken too and he wants to see who is talking.

Sleeping – what an angel! Evan slept 9 hours last night and the doctor said that he could transition to 10 to 12 hour nights in the next few weeks. Also, he is doing better with his naps and sleeping in his bed. When Evan first came home he did not take naps very easily – the only thing that worked was rocking him to sleep and holding him the entire time or the swing. Anytime we would put Evan to bed, the second he felt the bed he would start to stretch and wake himself up and not go back to sleep. Well, it is taking time and practice (and a few tears) but Evan is starting to be able to put himself to sleep – I soothe and relax him and then down he goes to bed – he tends to coo a little bit more and cry out a little but eventually he calms himself down and goes to sleep. It has been so nice this last week being able to put him down for naps and have some time to myself to relax – and write this blog entry!

Discovering – as his dad mentioned in the previous blog – Evan has found his fingers and sure likes them. In the last few days I’ve seen him increasingly trying out his fingers. Sometimes he sucks on his fist, and sometimes one finger followed by another until he has multiple fingers in his mouth. I haven’t seen Evan suck on his thumb yet – only time will tell. Evan is also learning how to use his fingers – up to a few days ago he would always clench his fingers into tight fists – but now he is starting to relax his hands more and slightly grasping things. So far, he has grabbed his hair and held papa/mama’s finger during feeding time.

Eating – Evan is now at 5 to 6 feedings during the day. We haven’t had a middle of the night feeding for over two weeks now (knock on wood). This has been a freeing experience for me – don’t feel like I’m just a feeding machine for him but now have some down time to myself. The day’s so far have begun between 6:30 and 7:30 and end around 10:00. We are working on his nightime routine and slowly working him on his nightime so eventually he will have a 8:30ish bedtime and a 7:30 wake up time. We are still having a few issues with Evan taking the bottle after I breastfeed him – but he is still eating and putting the weight on.

I am still trying to breastfeed – I’m planning on keeping it up for 3 more weeks and then be done. My milk supply never fully came in due to many factors (loss of blood from the c-section, loss of hormones, Evan in the NICU the first two weeks, exhaustion) so I’m only supplying Evan an ounce or two at each feeding and Evan can eat up to 6 ounces in a feeding. I’ve been using a hospital grade pump after each feeding and slowly cutting back on it (at 3 times a day now) – the pump is going back the first week of June (I’m sure not going to miss it!). I am somewhat sad that I won’t be able to continue to breastfeed him – but I gave it my best – and he is doing great!

From 9 pounds and 11 ounces to over 15 pounds Evan is growing - I can see in his face that he is getting older and no longer a newborn. He is so amazing and I love him him SO much!

Evan just discovered the taste of his fingers today.

He makes it quite apparent- they sure do taste GOOD. He’s having some difficulty with the concept of taking turns with each hand.
What a cute little guy he is.

Today Evan and I went to the hospital’s mommy support group – it’s a weekly meeting for new moms that dellivered at the hospital where Evan was born.  There were about 15 moms with their babies ranging from 2 weeks to five months.  I was so proud of Evan.  I know that I shouldn’t compare him to other babies – each baby develops at their own stage and time – but I was so impressed of Evan!

First of all – he was one of the biggest kids in the room – he was bigger then the 3 and 4 month babies – the only baby bigger then Evan was 5 months old.  Yep, we have a big kid.  He was weighed yesterday and weighed in at 15 pounds and 24 inches long – my muscles are getting a work out! I had to pull out the few 9 month clothes that I have and wash them up -he is starting to outgrow the 3 to 6 month clothing already.  I’m going to need a crane to get him around.  Doctor said not to worry about his size -his weight is proportioned to his heigth. 

Next, Evan was the most talkative baby out of all the kids – he lied on his tummy and just blabbed away – the 3 month old babies were almost silent.  When the meeting concluded it is tradition to end the meeting with everyone singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.  All of the moms started to sing and Evan began to contribute his part with oohing and ahhing along with the group.  I think Evan out sung us all and everyone could hear his heavenly voice.  One of the nurses commented on how vocal Evan was being and that he was practicing his different pitches.

Also, moms shared stores of how their babies were sleeping (or, as the case may be, not sleeping).  Many moms shared their frustration of trying to put their babies on schedules and not being able to get any sleep.  The instructor shared her opinion on scheduling and didn’t agree with the philosophy.  I didn’t say anything – but I have been trying to follow somewhat of a routine with Evan and scheduling him.  The plus side – which I didn’t mention (I kinda felt embarrased to say it) but Evan has been doing wonderful.  He’s sleeping between 7 to 9 hours a night and is taking 4 naps during the day.  Still haven’t worked out how to nap when he sleeps – never fails – he wakes up in the middle of his nap when I’m trying to nap. There’s always tomorrow!

After the meeting a group of the moms went to lunch and invited me to go along!  It was fun getting out and sharing horror stories, tips, and the joyous moments these little bundles of joy bring into our lives.  Every baby is special in their own way – but I must say Evan took the prize for being the most adorable and loveable of all the babies (who’s being bias?) – he’s pretty special!

Ain’t he cute?

Poor little Evan got his first shots today.

He did NOT have fun.

At ALL.

Five minutes later he acted as if all was well.  Amazing.  He got over it before Sue and I did, I’ll tell you that much.

More pics of the ordeal are here.

Okay.

First off, let me preface this post with the fact that I love my son dearly. With all my heart. I wouldn’t change anything about him.

That being said… I had a terribly unpleasant experience with him yesterday. That little rat.

This post is not exactly for the faint of stomach. If you’re up to it, click ‘(more…)‘ to read the entire post-

Read the rest of this entry »

 Happy Mother’s day to all of our dear mothers out there. 

It is strange and wonderful to be able to celebrate this day as a new mommy.  This time last year Chris and I were talking about maybe it was time to start a family.  Here we are, a year later, and we have a beautiful 2 month old baby. 

 Evan is growing every day and continues to amaze me with his new discoveries.  I feel I’m just starting to discover what it means to be a mother and I’m reminded of all the things my mother did for me. 

I have always known that I have a great mother – but the more that I see and understand what it means to be mother – the more that I am amazed and truly greatful for the mother that I have.  The sacrifice, patience, love, spiritual development, and kindness that my mother has shown me now helps me shape the way that I mother my son.  Mom, thanks for being an example! You are one in a million!!

I am so thankful to celebrate this day.  I try not to dwell on the past but the thought that I could have lost my son and not have this day to celebrate his life and being his proud mother brings tears to the surface.  I am greatful that I am blessed with this opportunity to be a mom – to help guide and direct this little human and give him all the love I have.