Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Finally...they meet!
Our cousin Spencer has been waiting to meet Carter since Carter was born. Unfortunately Angela & Ed (My aunt & uncle, his mom & dad) had been sick since we brought Carter home. Besides a glimpse here and there when we were outside (they live next door), Sunday was the first time Spencer officially "met" Carter...and he was so interested/excited, so I just had to post pictures! 
Friday, September 25, 2009
Happy Fall!
Carter made his first trip to the farm today (aka the farm where we have an acre of property to build our house). It was great to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, though we really had to bundle up since it's getting chilly out. It is fall after all!
This is a view from the pumpkin patch out towards the road where our house will be!
Keeping our preemie healthy!
Monday, September 21, 2009
What a Difference 7 Weeks Makes!
Monday, August 3rd vs Monday, September 21st
This is how I found Papa and Carter...so much for keeping him awake for a little while!
This is how I found Papa and Carter...so much for keeping him awake for a little while!
Friday, September 18, 2009
2 Month Check-Up
Today was Carter's 2 month check-up, and it went really well!
*8lbs 1oz
*21 in long
*37.2 centimeters head circumference
All of these measurements are still not on the charts for a 2 month old, but he is growing nicely and the doctor expects him to be on the charts by about 6 months.
*Carter received 5 vaccines today - which consisted of 2 shots and one oral. He cried/screamed, but only for a few seconds and was quickly comforted.
*Should also qualify for the Synagis shots (bi-weekly shots given to preemies during cold/flu season to prevent an illness called RSV)
*Doctor says he is probably about 1 month delayed - which puts him closer to his adjusted age (age based on due date) 
*8lbs 1oz
*21 in long
*37.2 centimeters head circumference
All of these measurements are still not on the charts for a 2 month old, but he is growing nicely and the doctor expects him to be on the charts by about 6 months.
*Carter received 5 vaccines today - which consisted of 2 shots and one oral. He cried/screamed, but only for a few seconds and was quickly comforted.
*Should also qualify for the Synagis shots (bi-weekly shots given to preemies during cold/flu season to prevent an illness called RSV)
*Doctor says he is probably about 1 month delayed - which puts him closer to his adjusted age (age based on due date)
Daddy and Carter are now sleeping peacefully!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Breathless Babies
Why isn't Carter a "normal" baby now that he is past his official due date?
This is something that I KNOW, but is even hard for me, being in the situation, to understand. I've been talking about being excited for Carter's 2 month shots so he has more freedom, but the keyword is "more" - we will still have to be very careful with him for the first 2 years or so. It seems as though, now that Carter is past his due date and looks perfectly healthy, he should at least be equal to his adjusted aged peers (i.e. he would technically now be almost 3 weeks old - so shouldn't he be physically and mentally like a 3 week old?).
After doing some research - here is what I have found. I included the article links for anyone who is very interested, but just put some highlights here. Again, thank you to everyone for your support and understanding. Hopefully Carter will be just a normal little boy - but in the meantime, we need to take precautions!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071214094102.htm
*research suggests that even relatively healthy preemies confront deficits in lung function that last into their second year, if not longer.
*"Healthy infants born prematurely may have smaller sized airways relative to the lung volume,"
*Compared preemies to full-term babies at 10 weeks and 15 months - unable to detect a catch-up period during the study. There was no change in the rate of increase of lung function when compared to full term infants
*premature infants who had more fully developed lungs, thus less need for supplemental oxygen after birth, actually faced greater respiratory problems than those who required prolonged supplemental oxygen.
http://www.synagis.com/what-is-rsv.aspx
*even as preemies start to look healthy and strong, their lungs remain smaller and less developed than those of full-term babies. That's why preemies are at greater risk for a severe lung infection from RSV.
This is something that I KNOW, but is even hard for me, being in the situation, to understand. I've been talking about being excited for Carter's 2 month shots so he has more freedom, but the keyword is "more" - we will still have to be very careful with him for the first 2 years or so. It seems as though, now that Carter is past his due date and looks perfectly healthy, he should at least be equal to his adjusted aged peers (i.e. he would technically now be almost 3 weeks old - so shouldn't he be physically and mentally like a 3 week old?).
After doing some research - here is what I have found. I included the article links for anyone who is very interested, but just put some highlights here. Again, thank you to everyone for your support and understanding. Hopefully Carter will be just a normal little boy - but in the meantime, we need to take precautions!
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071214094102.htm
*research suggests that even relatively healthy preemies confront deficits in lung function that last into their second year, if not longer.
*"Healthy infants born prematurely may have smaller sized airways relative to the lung volume,"
*Compared preemies to full-term babies at 10 weeks and 15 months - unable to detect a catch-up period during the study. There was no change in the rate of increase of lung function when compared to full term infants
*premature infants who had more fully developed lungs, thus less need for supplemental oxygen after birth, actually faced greater respiratory problems than those who required prolonged supplemental oxygen.
http://www.synagis.com/what-is-rsv.aspx
*even as preemies start to look healthy and strong, their lungs remain smaller and less developed than those of full-term babies. That's why preemies are at greater risk for a severe lung infection from RSV.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
2 Months!
Carter is 2 months old today!! He weighs ALMOST 8lbs! Getting to be such a big boy! We can't wait until he gets his 2 month shots on Friday so that he will have a LITTLE more freedom (we still have to be very careful, lots of handwashing, and if you're sick, please still stay away).
Also - Carter's baptism will be Sunday, October 18th at 11:15am at St. Mary's in Lockport, with a gathering after at our (my parents') house.
Also - Carter's baptism will be Sunday, October 18th at 11:15am at St. Mary's in Lockport, with a gathering after at our (my parents') house.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Labor Day!
Everything is going very well as Carter nears 2 months (however his shots and added freedom aren't til the 18th), though he has gone from eating about 3oz every 3-5 hours, back to eating 2oz every 2-3 hours (including through the night).
Today, Carter actually stayed in his swing (sleeping) for quite awhile! Now that he's getting bigger he seems to fit a bit better. In fact, based on estimates from our home baby scale, he is over 7lbs!! I also started putting him in his highchair (it reclines back) while we eat. Although he "gets lost" in it, I think he enjoys being up at the table with us rather than down low in his swing or bouncy chair. He is constantly kicking his legs and pushing with them and is holding his head up longer and longer each day.
Today, Carter actually stayed in his swing (sleeping) for quite awhile! Now that he's getting bigger he seems to fit a bit better. In fact, based on estimates from our home baby scale, he is over 7lbs!! I also started putting him in his highchair (it reclines back) while we eat. Although he "gets lost" in it, I think he enjoys being up at the table with us rather than down low in his swing or bouncy chair. He is constantly kicking his legs and pushing with them and is holding his head up longer and longer each day.
P.S. After I wrote this blog, Carter slept from 12:30am-5:45am...I'll take it!
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