Urgent Care and Weight Gain

We had a typical Sunday afternoon...until Jackson began vomiting profusely.  We're not talking about projectile spit up.  This was a tiny body throwing up so hard he was convulsing until the only thing left was heaving.  Jackson threw up violently four times within an hour.  We were obviously concerned about dehydration and wondering if there were more serious problems.  I was sick to my stomach I was so worked up over the whole ordeal.  It is absolutely heart wrenching to see our sweet boy in pain or worry about his health.  Jesse and I had a choice to either pay $87 at Urgent Care or wait and see if it got better.  If it got worse, we would spend the evening in the emergency room and pay $233.

We decided to go ahead and drive to Urgent Care.  As Murphy's Law would have it, Jackson slept rather peacefully the entire time we were there and has not gotten sick since.  After over an hour wait, the doctor checked all of his vitals.  His temperature, pulse, breathing, eyes, ears, etc were all perfectly normal.  She said that he had a virus but was unsure why the vomiting was so concentrated in such a short time span.  We were simply told to watch for vomiting and to take Jackson to the ER if he was unable to keep breastmilk or Pedialyte down.  Thankfully he nursed once we got home and slept uninterrupted until 3 a.m.

Our pitiful sick boy

Sleeping on Daddy

Despite getting a clean bill of health from the nurse and doctor, Jesse and I are increasingly concerned about Jackson's weight.  If you recall, he weighed 14 lbs 4 oz at his 4 month check, which was only a 1.5 lb gain from his 2 month check up.  On Sunday, he only weighed 14 lbs, 9 oz.  While I am certain that he lost significant weight throwing up, he was weighed in his clothes and cloth diaper.  (He is always naked at his official weight checks.)  To think that he's gained half a pound or less in a month is unsettling.

After calming myself from complete hysteria, I am still unable to make peace with the realization that formula is in our very near future.  I hope and pray that Jackson is able to be exclusively breastfed up until 6 months before we are forced to use formula.  There is still 200+ ounces in the freezer, but I am only able to pump 1-2 bottles of breastmilk while we have increased Jackson's intake to 4 bottles a day.  Nursing and pumping has been a HUGE source of stress for me this past month, which doesn't help with my supply issues.  

We are going to give Jackson an extra bottle each day (4 total) and hope that it's enough for him to gain weight.  Jackson is still happy and playful.  He rarely shows hunger signs and he isn't fussy very often.  However, Jackson would have to gain almost 4 pounds in the next month for him to double his birth weight (8 lb 15 oz) by his 6 month check up.  Clearly that is not going to happen!

Many, many prayers are needed.

How to Make a Pineapple Cake

1. Bake a cake in a large sheet pan.

 2. Carve out the outline of a pineapple.  (Eat the extra!)

 3. Apply a crumb coat of icing.  Refrigerate or freeze the cake for a half hour.

 4. Frost and decorate cake.  Serve!

Happy Grandparents' Day (A Day Early)

I wanted to get pictures of Jackson and his cousin Levi framed for Grandparents' Day but there were really no good pictures of the two of them together.  Over a month ago, my sister-in-law, Chrissy, and I organized an at home photo shoot with a photographer.  We were able to get the pictures printed and framed in time for Grandparents' Day. 

Unfortunately Levi came down with a temperature and they were unable to join us for dinner tonight.  We still had a good evening and were able to celebrate Jan and Jeff.  We fixed meatloaf with mashed potatoes and peas for dinner.  Jackson was not a good helper while I peeled the potatoes.  He kept picking up the potatoes and throwing them on the floor. 

We enjoyed a delicious dinner with cheesecake for dessert.  Jesse and I were excited to be able to do something special for his parents.  I know they were happily surprised.

While Jackson is too young to realize it, he has the best grandparents in the world who love him with their whole hearts.  Jesse and I could not be happier that they are a constant in Jackson's life.

Happy Grandparents' Day!

Happy Five Months--Then and Now

My sweet baby is five months old today.  See what all has changed in the last five months...

From a one month old to a five month old, Jackson's feet now dangle off of his bouncer.

Jackson has transformed from a cautious, over-stimulated three month old to a spinning, self-entertaining five month old in his exersaucer.

Jackson once drank a bottle every other day, though he now consumes three bottles a day, in addition to nursing and eating rice cereal or oatmeal.  Our breastfeeding days are numbered though as I am continuing to pump 4 or more ounces less than what Jackson consumes while I am at work.

The bumbo has evolved from an uncomfortable place of self-loathe to a regular space where Jackson can happily supervise his daddy.

Tummy time used to result in crying or sleeping.  Jackson now props himself up and plays with his pacifier and toys while on his tummy.

Jackson still loves to nap on our lap, though he doesn't quite fit the same as he did four and a half months ago.

Jackson's relationship with Cowbell has gone from apathy to admiration.

Jackson spent the first two months of his life sleeping in his baby bed between Mommy and Daddy.  We've battled over night wakings, hourly feedings, and swaddling issues.  Most recently, Jack has only awoken to eat twice (around 2 a.m. and 5:30 a.m.) and is able to sleep peacefully with one arm unswaddled.

His other accomplishments from the last month include sucking on his feet, upgrading to the convertible carseat, graduating from the swing to the baby jumper, and cutting his first tooth.  We are still working on sitting up unassisted, napping in the crib, and preparing to crawl.

Happy five months, baby Jack!

First Tooth Photos

We've been struggling to take a picture of Jackson's first tooth.  This task is next to impossible with a laughing, wiggly infant who puts everything in his mouth anyway.  Here are the best ones so far:

Luxury Carseat and More Oatmeal

After doing most of the driving over the long weekend, we accidentally left the carseat, stroller, diaper bag, and Ergo in my car.  While this was a major disruption to Jesse's plans for the day, it gave him a reason to install our big boy carseat in his car.  Our insurance paid for the Britax Marathon Classic after Jesse got in the wreck this past May.  This carseat is amazing.  It's so soft and durable.  Jackson loves being able to get a better look at himself in the mirror.

This evening we gave Jackson oatmeal for the second time.  He actually ate most of it this time, but it was still a challenge.  He still opened his mouth and reached for the spoon, but then he played.  He was acting so silly and kept sucking his lips and blowing bubbles while eating.  Needless to say, it was a mess!

Out With the Old, In With the New

Dear Swing,

You were a lifesaver for the first three months.  Jackson adored you.  His Mommy and Daddy adored you.  Jack would instantly become calm in your rhythmic sways.  Remember what sweet naps you provided?

It is with a heavy heart that we must now part ways.  You see, you are no longer needed in our house.  You have been replaced.  The corner where you were once located is now home to the excersuacer.

Jackson prefers to bounce and spin upstairs in his new favorite toy.

So for now, my dear swing, you will remain in the attic until you are needed again.  We know you will provide hours of entertainment for Amelia or James one day.  Until then, take care of yourself.

With sincerest gratitude,
Jackson's Mommy and Daddy