Yesterday...
11lbs 12oz ~ 24inches
11lbs 12oz ~ 24inches
Monday, December 14, 2009
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Christmas Tree
Yesterday we went to Erway Farms to pick out our Christmas tree! We bundled Carter up, and had a great time. There was a wagon ride out to the trees, and after we picked out the "perfect" tree we went to see the zebra, deer, and elk. Besides losing the tree off the top of the van on the way home - it was a successful trip! Hopefully we will get it put up and decorated today or tomorrow. Also...Carter is 5 months old today!!! Check back later for his 5 month pictures! 
Monday, December 7, 2009
Holiday Request
Sorry - no pictures today. We took a bunch more Christmas photos, but I can't share them yet. Please continue reading anyways!
With the holidays quickly approaching, Mike, Carter & I are looking forward to seeing all of our family and friends (especially since we haven't seen some of you since Carter's arrival!). However, we still have to be extremely cautious about sickness and germs.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, if you have any sort of illness AT ALL (i.e. a cold, but not sick enough to stay home from holiday gatherings) and are planning to attend a gathering that we are also supposed to attend, let us know so that we do not bring Carter. We certainly do not want to interfere with anyone else's holiday plans, and as much as we want to see everyone, his health is most important right now. Getting him through this first cold/flu season without any major illnesses is our top priority. Unfortunately, if that means spending the holidays with just our own little "family", we are prepared to do so.
I really wish I could tie a bottle of Purell around his neck...but due to his new LOVE of chewing on his hands, and everything else he can get his hands on, I can't do that...(not to mention that he's a baby so I wouldn't tie anything around his neck)...
With the holidays quickly approaching, Mike, Carter & I are looking forward to seeing all of our family and friends (especially since we haven't seen some of you since Carter's arrival!). However, we still have to be extremely cautious about sickness and germs.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, if you have any sort of illness AT ALL (i.e. a cold, but not sick enough to stay home from holiday gatherings) and are planning to attend a gathering that we are also supposed to attend, let us know so that we do not bring Carter. We certainly do not want to interfere with anyone else's holiday plans, and as much as we want to see everyone, his health is most important right now. Getting him through this first cold/flu season without any major illnesses is our top priority. Unfortunately, if that means spending the holidays with just our own little "family", we are prepared to do so.
I really wish I could tie a bottle of Purell around his neck...but due to his new LOVE of chewing on his hands, and everything else he can get his hands on, I can't do that...(not to mention that he's a baby so I wouldn't tie anything around his neck)...
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Christmas Preview
Yesterday I took Carter's Christmas pictures. I got some really cute ones! Unfortunately, I can't show them to you because then it wouldn't be a surprise! Okay okay, here are a few just to preview....
On another note, I don't think I ever updated after Carter's 4 month check-up last week. Overall he's doing GREAT! He's 10lbs 4oz and 23.5 inches long with a head circumference of 39.5cm. He's still not on the charts yet for his actual age - and at the very low end of the charts for his adjusted age...but growing great on his own curve. The doctor is very pleased. He also told me that I could start solids anytime now but Carter isn't even 3 months adjusted, and nowhere near the 14lb weight they suggest for starting solids. He also only eats 20-24oz per day, much under the limit of 34oz. So sorry Carter, no peas for you this Thanksgiving!
On another note, I don't think I ever updated after Carter's 4 month check-up last week. Overall he's doing GREAT! He's 10lbs 4oz and 23.5 inches long with a head circumference of 39.5cm. He's still not on the charts yet for his actual age - and at the very low end of the charts for his adjusted age...but growing great on his own curve. The doctor is very pleased. He also told me that I could start solids anytime now but Carter isn't even 3 months adjusted, and nowhere near the 14lb weight they suggest for starting solids. He also only eats 20-24oz per day, much under the limit of 34oz. So sorry Carter, no peas for you this Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Prematurity Awareness Day
I know that many of you have already read the story of Carter's birth, and have followed his progress religiously through this blog - but today is Prematurity Awareness Day, and although I'm writing this at 10pm, I think it is important to remember the journey we have taken and that which is still to come.
Overall, I remember my pregnancy as being great! We found out shortly before Christmas 2008 that we were expecting - which made for perfect Christmas present ideas for the entire family! Besides being quite nauseous, I really didn't have any problems early on. We had several ultrasounds to see baby's heart beating, measure his progress, etc. and everything was perfect. According to the dating ultrasound, he was due to arrive August 26, 2009 (just 4 days later than I had thought).
I think my "luck" turned bad, or perhaps it was actually good - when I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. If it hadn't been for my appointment with the nutritionist, I may have never gone to the hospital for my first stay June 24th (due to swelling and high bp, she sent me to Labor & Delivery at RGH). During my 4 days there, I received steroid shots to help Carter's lungs in case he had to be delivered early. All test results came back normal - and I was discharged on blood pressure meds and partial bed rest Saturday June 27th. That was also the day that we moved!
After that, I checked not only my blood sugar but also blood pressure several times a day. On Sunday, July 12th, I attended my now sister in law's bridal shower. I ate cheesecake. My sister commented "if you eat that, you're going to have that baby today!" I replied "No, but I might if I drink some of your wine punch." (which I did NOT drink..and for the record..eating the cheesecake had nothing to do with Carter's early arrival..my blood sugar was just fine!). I felt fine all day, but when I tested my blood pressure that night it was very high. I took my meds, and listened to my parents who told me NOT to go to bed until my BP went down. Well...it went up. So off to the hospital I went (a different one and a doctor I had never met, since we had moved). After an ultrasound and some blood tests, the doctor came back in with a smile on his face. I figured I was going home, possibly on bed rest.....WRONG....he announced that I would be delivering the baby via c-section within the hour. Umm..what?!? All of a sudden a herd of nurses came in and started prepping me for surgery.
Overall, I remember my pregnancy as being great! We found out shortly before Christmas 2008 that we were expecting - which made for perfect Christmas present ideas for the entire family! Besides being quite nauseous, I really didn't have any problems early on. We had several ultrasounds to see baby's heart beating, measure his progress, etc. and everything was perfect. According to the dating ultrasound, he was due to arrive August 26, 2009 (just 4 days later than I had thought).
I think my "luck" turned bad, or perhaps it was actually good - when I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes. If it hadn't been for my appointment with the nutritionist, I may have never gone to the hospital for my first stay June 24th (due to swelling and high bp, she sent me to Labor & Delivery at RGH). During my 4 days there, I received steroid shots to help Carter's lungs in case he had to be delivered early. All test results came back normal - and I was discharged on blood pressure meds and partial bed rest Saturday June 27th. That was also the day that we moved!
After that, I checked not only my blood sugar but also blood pressure several times a day. On Sunday, July 12th, I attended my now sister in law's bridal shower. I ate cheesecake. My sister commented "if you eat that, you're going to have that baby today!" I replied "No, but I might if I drink some of your wine punch." (which I did NOT drink..and for the record..eating the cheesecake had nothing to do with Carter's early arrival..my blood sugar was just fine!). I felt fine all day, but when I tested my blood pressure that night it was very high. I took my meds, and listened to my parents who told me NOT to go to bed until my BP went down. Well...it went up. So off to the hospital I went (a different one and a doctor I had never met, since we had moved). After an ultrasound and some blood tests, the doctor came back in with a smile on his face. I figured I was going home, possibly on bed rest.....WRONG....he announced that I would be delivering the baby via c-section within the hour. Umm..what?!? All of a sudden a herd of nurses came in and started prepping me for surgery.
At 5:43am Carter Michael Kennedy was rudely taken from his warm sleeping place. He arrived screaming (which was music to my ears, despite all the pain I was in) and weighed in at 3lbs 10oz. He was on a ventilator for about an hour or two, but then was able to breathe on his own. The hardest part was that, besides seeing him for about 10 seconds in the incubator on his way to the NICU, I did not get to see my baby boy for about 33 hours. I did not feel like a mommy. There was this baby upstairs, that I knew I had just delivered, and I knew I loved, but it didn't feel real. It didn't feel like he was mine.
Carter spent his first 20 days at Sister's Hospital. He was poked and prodded more than any baby should be. At first he had not only monitors, but IVs and a feeding tube. He spent a few days under the lights due to jaundice. Mike and I prepared ourselves for ups and downs. Luckily for us, there really were no "downs". Carter did GREAT, and all of the nurses thought he was such an easy baby. New parents should never have to be so thankful to be able to hold their baby for ONE hour a day. That was total time...so many days Mike let me do all the cuddling because he knew I really needed it as much as Carter did (and I think Mike was afraid he might break our tiny baby). It was a long 20 days for us, but not nearly as long as some of the other babies in the NICU, or some of the babies of moms I have gotten to know through an online preemie support group.
Although the NICU was hard, it was safe. Now that we are home I feel like I have just as much to worry about. "Did you wash your hands?" Yes, that is probably the most common phrase I say. I know that we may have offended some people by not attending various events, or by asking them not to come visit when they were sick - but it's all about Carter's health now. If he catches a "cold" - he could end up back in the hospital. I hide in our room every time someone here gets sick (which has happened several times now, between living with a kindergartener and preschooler). I wish I could take Carter everywhere, to the mall, out to eat, to Joshua's soccer games, and not worry. But we can't. I'm hoping to be able to spend the holidays with our families, but I'm completely prepared to spend them with just Carter and Mike if anyone else is sick.
Sure, he looks like a normal, yet tiny, 4 month old baby (weighing in at 9lbs 12oz) - but we have to remember that he is/was a preemie. Prematurity doesn't go away just because the baby comes home or is past their "due date". I pray every day that Carter continues to grow and flourish without any problems. It is easy to feel sorry for myself, remembering that I never got any last "belly pictures" or even got THAT huge, or that Carter was a week old for one of my baby showers and the other one had to be cancelled. That I never got to feel what it is like to go into labor. Instead of being so excited, I was scared. Instead, I try to constantly remind myself of how blessed we were/are that things went so "well" and that things always happen for a reason. I don't want anyone else to feel bad for us either - because it was/is all worth it for our beautiful little boy, but just try to understand and pray that some day, through the help of organizations such as the March of Dimes, that all babies will be born healthy and full term!
Carter spent his first 20 days at Sister's Hospital. He was poked and prodded more than any baby should be. At first he had not only monitors, but IVs and a feeding tube. He spent a few days under the lights due to jaundice. Mike and I prepared ourselves for ups and downs. Luckily for us, there really were no "downs". Carter did GREAT, and all of the nurses thought he was such an easy baby. New parents should never have to be so thankful to be able to hold their baby for ONE hour a day. That was total time...so many days Mike let me do all the cuddling because he knew I really needed it as much as Carter did (and I think Mike was afraid he might break our tiny baby). It was a long 20 days for us, but not nearly as long as some of the other babies in the NICU, or some of the babies of moms I have gotten to know through an online preemie support group.
Although the NICU was hard, it was safe. Now that we are home I feel like I have just as much to worry about. "Did you wash your hands?" Yes, that is probably the most common phrase I say. I know that we may have offended some people by not attending various events, or by asking them not to come visit when they were sick - but it's all about Carter's health now. If he catches a "cold" - he could end up back in the hospital. I hide in our room every time someone here gets sick (which has happened several times now, between living with a kindergartener and preschooler). I wish I could take Carter everywhere, to the mall, out to eat, to Joshua's soccer games, and not worry. But we can't. I'm hoping to be able to spend the holidays with our families, but I'm completely prepared to spend them with just Carter and Mike if anyone else is sick.
Sure, he looks like a normal, yet tiny, 4 month old baby (weighing in at 9lbs 12oz) - but we have to remember that he is/was a preemie. Prematurity doesn't go away just because the baby comes home or is past their "due date". I pray every day that Carter continues to grow and flourish without any problems. It is easy to feel sorry for myself, remembering that I never got any last "belly pictures" or even got THAT huge, or that Carter was a week old for one of my baby showers and the other one had to be cancelled. That I never got to feel what it is like to go into labor. Instead of being so excited, I was scared. Instead, I try to constantly remind myself of how blessed we were/are that things went so "well" and that things always happen for a reason. I don't want anyone else to feel bad for us either - because it was/is all worth it for our beautiful little boy, but just try to understand and pray that some day, through the help of organizations such as the March of Dimes, that all babies will be born healthy and full term!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
WHAT A DIFFERENCE...
a few months makes! 
1 month
Almost 4 months!!
Carter has been doing very well lately! He sleeps 6-11 hours straight in his crib every night, which means mommy and daddy are much more rested. Now we are just working on naps. He still seems to wake up every time we lay him down, though it's gotten a little better since I started swaddling him for his naps. The only problem is, he likes to take his longest nap from about 5-7pm (I've had to wake him up at 7pm few times!) then he goes down for the night between 8:30-10pm.
Joshua & Justin really enjoy helping to take care of Carter - feeding him and making silly faces to make him laugh! Oh yeah, and Carter rolled back to belly the other day! I put him down on his blanket (on his back) and left the room for about 30 seconds to help Justin. When I came back - he was on his belly!!! After that he kept going back to side, but not to the belly again yet, though he is getting better/faster at belly to back. During the night he scoots all around his crib. I start him in the middle near the "top"...and by morning he is often either turned 90 degrees, or all the way down in the bottom corner!
Joshua & Justin really enjoy helping to take care of Carter - feeding him and making silly faces to make him laugh! Oh yeah, and Carter rolled back to belly the other day! I put him down on his blanket (on his back) and left the room for about 30 seconds to help Justin. When I came back - he was on his belly!!! After that he kept going back to side, but not to the belly again yet, though he is getting better/faster at belly to back. During the night he scoots all around his crib. I start him in the middle near the "top"...and by morning he is often either turned 90 degrees, or all the way down in the bottom corner!
Carter's favorite toy (okay, the ONLY toy he will really play with) is the "O-Ball". It is really easy for him to grab, and he tries to get it up to his mouth to chew on. Just watch out - he throws it across the room pretty good too and likes to kick it with his feet!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
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