When it rains it pours...

So I realized that I hadn’t blogged in a month, but I have been so extremely busy with life lately. School started and I have 31, 5-year-olds in kindergarten this year! It has taken a lot of my energy at times but I think this will end up being a great group of kiddos!

Layton has been growing and growing! At his 2 month check-up he was 12.6 lbs and 23 inches long! He was at 75% in height, weight and head circumference! He ended up getting 3 shots that day too. He took it like a champ! Daddy held him and 1,2,3 done! Stuck a bottle in his mouth and he was over it! He slept great that night too.

We have started giving him a little bit of apple juice and water every day and he absolutely loves it! Although he likes anything that comes in a bottle these days!  He sucks it down so quickly, I can’t wait until he starts trying rice and foods!

The first week of school I came home with new kid germs and had a small cold myself. I tried to take care of it before he caught it but it didn’t work. On Labor day, Layton started with a little cough and runny nose. He was still eating, sleeping and playing as normal so we decided that we were going to let him fight it out for a couple days before calling the doctor. 7 days later he was still coughing every once and a while and still had a runny nose so we took him in. Besides weighing 14.4 lbs… she said that he had RSV.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a very common virus that leads to mild, cold-like symptoms in adults and older healthy children. RSV is the most common germ that causes lung and airway infections in infants and young children.

He is now taking a nebulizer 3 times a day for 20, 10, 20 minutes, breathing in 2 different medications. He is also on Amoxicillin twice a day. The first treatment Bryce had to give him at the doctor’s office and he cried during the entire thing. Once he was home and in a comfortable place he takes it like a trooper! He does cry a few minutes during his morning treatment because that’s the one that breaks it all up the most and makes him cough. During the other 2 treatments he usually falls asleep! We have to keep him on the medicines for 2 weeks and then have to go back to see the doctor to make sure it is all cleared up. Every day he sounds a little better and coughs a little less, thank goodness! Hopefully it will all be over before we know it!

In the mist of everything he has also developed Cradle cap! (When it rains it pours!) Cradle cap, the common term for infantile seborrheic dermatitis, causes scaly patches on a baby's scalp. So before bath time we are putting a little bit of oil on his head and then washing it out. It is a very mild case and hardly noticeable with his full head of hair. Hopefully it will clear up soon as well.

Other than that he is a very happy and healthy little boy. Layton is always laughing and smiling! He loves to be awake with us more and more. He is sleeping 5-6 hours straight at night and goes back to sleep for another 2-3. He loved being able to hang out with my Mom and Dad while they were here! He even spent the night with them! I can’t wait to take him back to Indy next week! We are crossing our fingers that he is all better so we can keep our flight! =)

Smile! =)

The other night, when I was giving Layton a bath, I put him in front of the mirror and we were talking to each other. He made the slightest little smile at himself! We kept trying to talk to him to get another one but it never came.

The next day I was walking Layton by the big mirror in my bedroom and we stopped to look at the baby. We were talking to the baby and telling him hi when all of a sudden the biggest smile came across his face. He kept smiling over and over. I called Bryce in the room and he smiled so big! The smiles kept coming all night! Bryce and I were so excited because we had been waiting forever!

This is the happy little boy that I woke up to this morning...

7 Weeks

So much going on at the 7 week mark! We couldn't be more blessed with such a wonderful little boy! Sometimes we think maybe it's too easy and so much fun!

Layton has just started really tracking things with his eyes. He loves to watch us walk back and forth and watch when I am making dinner and doing other things around the house. The other night we found him staring at his hands and trying to eat them! It's funny to watch him when he looks at his hands... the little things are so amazing to a newborn!

Every day he is making more and more sounds! The noises are so cute sometimes and so loud at others! At times he even scares himself! Bryce and I always joke around to tell each other what he is saying. "Get away from me!" "I want my mom, not you!" "Don't change that channel! "

Besides talking, he has also been blowing bubbles and making raspberries! The first time he did it we laughed and laughed. He did it over and over and was amazed! Now he does it all the time especially when he gets upset or wants something to eat!

We have been amazed with his sleeping! Last week he slept 7 hours straight! Needless to say Bryce and I were shocked! The next few nights he would sleep from 10:30-8:30 only waking up for between 30 minutes to an hour! It was amazing! He was having what I think was a major growth spurt because the next couple days I was packing up outfits that didn't fit anymore!
I've been slowing making myself go to work for a couple of hours at a time. After just a few short hours I am ready to come home to my baby! This is my last full week off before I have to go back, so I brought a lot of stuff home to do!  I still am going to have to go in for a few hours here and there. I am dreading leaving my little Chunk but I know that it will make the nights that much more special! Plus he will be in good hands while I am away!

Every day we wait around for a chuckle or a smile... it's coming! I know it! =)

1 month old

I can't believe how quickly 1 month has flown by! Layton is already getting so big it's unbelievable!

We went to the doctor last week for his 1 month check up. Bryce and I had a bet how much he would weigh before we went in and... I guessed right on! Layton weighs 9.13 pounds and grew 1.5 inches! He is at 50% on all his growth charts which is great for being a week and a half early! The doctor did say that he was gaining weight a little too quickly though and to try to slow him down so we started a new stricter feeding schedule. He has been doing great on the schedule and is only eating every 2.5-3 hours with no food in between he just plays and sleeps!

Layton has quickly learned the difference between night and day. Once it is dark he is ready to go to sleep and only wakes up every 3 hours to eat and have a diaper change and then is right back to sleep. As soon as the sun comes over the mountain he is up and ready for the day! Once it is light outside he will only sleep in his swing until it is night time again. This usually means that one of us ends up sleeping on the couch until the other wakes up. Sometimes Layton just wakes up so that he can get into bed with us! At first I had a hard time with this because he was so little, but now that he is getting bigger he is becoming quite the snuggle bug and loves using my pregnancy pillow for himself! When he sleeps he looks and sounds just like his Dad. Layton is a little bit loud when he sleeps as he often moans and groans! I also try to put him in his crib to sleep for a little bit each day but he only sleeps for about 15-20 minutes. Hopefully he will start to get a little better once I get the music from school!

Each day he is getting stronger and stronger. He has learned that he can hold up his head. This makes for some difficult burping sessions sometimes because he likes to push himself up and look around. Now that he can hold his head up, he is enjoying tummy time more and more!

Kallie has started to be protective. She will usually stay near to see what he is doing. She likes to watch him when he is playing. Once Layton starts to cry she will always come into the room and look at him just to watch and make sure he is OK!

Other than that he is a normal happy 1 month old! We have started to take him out a little more each week but we are still getting use to it as well as it can be a huge task. I can't believe how quickly it has gone by and soon I will have to go back to work! I am enjoying each day to the fullest before that happens! =)

First Walk

Yesterday was such a long day. Little Mister did not want to sleep anywhere but in Mommy and Daddy's arms! He was very fussy and we didn't want to start a bad habit of holding him all the time. We would put him in different places, where he would normally sleep and he would wake up 15 minutes later! Finally we got the idea to put him in the stroller and go for a walk.

We made it 5 minutes before he started to scream and was hungry. So we took him out, let him drink a little and put him back in a continued to walk. 2 minutes later he was out and Mommy and Daddy were so thankful! We walked for about 30 minutes and went home. He was sleeping so soundly that we kept him in his car seat and let him sleep. Bryce and I ended up watching TV and eating in our bedroom because we didn't want to walk him up! After a long day of no sleep he slept soundly through the night!

First Bath

Layton got his first bath yesterday and he loved it! It was the perfect day outside; so of course I took the bathtub outside so that he wouldn't get cold! He didn't make a peep the whole time. He just laid back, relaxed and enjoyed! Hopefully this is how bath time will always go! 

3 Weeks Old

Tomorrow Layton will be 3 weeks old! I can't believe how fast the time has flown by! Bryce and I feel so blessed to have him in our lives and to be able to spend each day together as a family! We are quickly adjusting to life as a family of 3 and I have quickly learned so many lessons about being a Mom. As soon as I make coffee or food, Layton will need my attention so whatever I made will always end up cold. I run the washer, drier and dishwasher in the middle of the night, so it will be done in the morning. I now plan to leave the house 20 minutes earlier than I would have before, because not matter what, Layton will need to be changed or eat before we leave!

Bryce and I are enjoying sharing so much time with Layton. Bryce has been such a huge help and a wonderful Dad. I do have to admit that nights are hard when Bryce has to go to work. Being the only person to care for a newborn can be quite challenging at times. This makes me thankful that I have an amazing partner! Sunday nights Bryce wakes up the whole night with Layton to let me catch up on my sleep from Friday and Saturday! I couldn't be more thankful on Monday mornings!

Layton has been growing and changing everyday. He is eating between 3-4 oz every feeding! He is going to be a big boy if he keeps eating at this rate! His face and legs are starting to fill out because of all great nutrients! He loves taking naps in his swing and his boppy. Layton loves watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse because there are so many bright colors. He has also been working on his tan and sitting in the sun when he is awake. Layton loves to look at all the colorful things on his exercise mat! Last night he even watched his first Red Sox game laying on his mat! When Daddy is on duty I catch the boys playing video games! They have been playing Tiger Woods Golf because Bryce wants to start him early!

Other than sleeping, eating, playing and pooping we have been having so much fun together! Each day has been a new experience! I can't wait to give him his first bath in the bathtub this week! =)

Pee Initiation

And on the 8th day we were initiated! We knew the day would finally come where we would be peed on! Yesterday around lunch time I was eating my lunch and Bryce went to change Layton's diaper. He asked me to come into the room to watch him on the changing table so he could warm the wipes. As I am watching him and eating all of a sudden the stream started flowing! I quickly with the empty hand tried to figure out what to do but my first response was to laugh as it went into the air. Bryce came back in the room and asked what I was laughing at and then started laughing himself. Finally I got it under control and reminded Bryce to next time have a diaper on him.

A couple of hours later, just when I though my turn was over, I was feeding Layton his bottle when I started to feel warmth on my leg and stomach. I reached down with my empty hand and low and behold I was soaking wet! He had leaked out of his diaper, through the blanket and all over me! He was so comfortable and relieved that I let him finish eating then passed him off to Bryce to go change his clothes while I changed mine!

During the 5am feeding it was finally Bryce's turn! Bryce let him eat and then changed his diaper before laying him back down to sleep. As Bryce was changing his diaper Layton decided that he was not finished and the stream started flowing in the air.Just as  Bryce finally go it under control and pointed down,  Layton  decided that he also needed to relieve himself the other way and poopied on the changing table! I think Bryce finally figured out that he always has to have a diaper under him!

Grandma & Grandpa & Uncle

My Brother came into town last Tuesday when Layton was born. He came right to the hospital for Uncle duties. He hung out with us for a couple of days, bu refused to change any dirty diapers!

My parents came into town on July 2 to meet their first grandson and help out for a couple of weeks. They have been such a huge help with Layton and letting us rest when we need a nap! Layton has loved hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa and will be very sad when they have to leave! For now we are just enjoying every second of our time together!

1st Doctor Visit

We went to the doctor with Layton this morning and got wonderful results.  They measured his head, weighed him, checked his height, and took his temperature! Most babies loose weight in the first couple weeks; our little man has gained 15 ounces! The Doctor said that he was doing awesome and was right on track. She also mentioned that he should be eating around 1-2 ounces every 2-3 hours, but instead he is eating 2-3 ounces every 2-3 hours!

After the doctor gave us some new parent advice and answered all of our questions they had to make my poor baby cry. They had to prick his foot and test his blood for all different types of things. Daddy held him and Mommy watched praying that it would go quickly! Right after she was done getting all the blood she needed Layton decided to thank her by passing a long and juicy toot! We all thought that it was quite hilarious including the nurse!

First Sponge Bath

It was finally time for Layton's first sponge bath! I was so excited! We didn't want him to get mad and cold so we devised a plan! We wanted him to be as warm as possible so, where else to take him than on the poarch, at noon on a sunny Vegas day! (We kept him in the shade so he wouldn't get burnt.) Bryce held him and I sponged him off. He was so content and happy! After he was done he just wanted to hang out and relax outside... until he got hungry that is!

Finally Home

We are home and so excited! We are taking turns being up and taking care of Layton. It has actually worked out really well because Bryce and I are on opposite schedules anyway! Last night was my first night by myself while Bryce was at work. I was actually surprised how well it went.

Layton has been an excellent baby so far. He is so quiet and calm. We have been working very hard to get him on a schedule and it is working out great! He eats, sleeps for 3 hours, poops, plays, eats, sleeps for 3 hours, poops and plays. He is eating more and more everyday which only means that he is growing and growing! I only wish that he could stay this small forever!

Layton is here!

We are so excited that our little guy has joined us! Surprisingly, Monday morning I went into labor on my own and did not need to be induced. We went to the hospital around 8am only to get sent back home by 10 because I was not progressing enough to be able to stay. Around 2pm the contractions were getting stronger and I could hardly walk, so we went back to the hospital and I told them that I was not going home without having a baby!

The contractions got stronger and more painful until about 4cm when I got my epidural. Before the epidural I was given a pain killer, and even though it was hardly working I guess I was saying some pretty hilarious stuff! They told me that I was finally ready to push around 1am and after some hard pushing and good luck Layton was born at 3:03am on Tuesday, June 28. He weighed 6lbs 8oz and was 20 inches long.

He did have to go down to the NICU to get checked out and make sure everything was OK. Bryce got to go with him and stayed the whole time. After everything was said and done we were so excited to have our baby boy in the room with us. We stayed up all night and stared at him and talked about how wonderful our lives were going to be as a family of 3.

We spent the the next day in the hospital until it was time to go home! We were so excited and nervous at the same time... We knew that the party had finally begun! =)