Introducing… Elliot and Winston!

Born April 2012 and May 2015

Happy one month, baby boy!

Well that went by fast! Here we are at one month and I have barely posted. I actually have written Winston’s birth story post but I need to add the pictures to it. Blogging for two is challenging.
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Anyways, so far things have been pretty great. Winston had been a bit more fussy the past few days but overall had been a great baby. He does eat a lot though. Currently, he is on the almost two hour breastfeeding program. He sleeps beside me in the bassinet at night, and instead of crying, he wakes me with grunting when he is hungry.
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Elliot is adjusting pretty well. He did ask if Winston could “go back to his house” early on. I explained that this is his home now and Elliot has not brought it up again. A few weeks ago I had to leave the room while Winston was in the bassinet and Elliot was on our bed. Winston started crying so Elliot brought him several unopened bottles of formula and a pacifier and sat then in his bed. It was a great try!
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We went back to Gingy’s over the weekend.
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We took Elliot to the lake and Logan wad a good sport and got in the chill water with him.
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We built a swing set for Elliot and someday Winston. Mostly Logan and grandpa worked on it but I think everyone contributed.
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Yesterday we went to Gam Gam’s and Elliot played with Charlotte and Knizley.
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Winston watched.
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At one month, Winston is holding his head up surprisingly well.
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We went to the doctor today and Winston got a shot. He had some food right afterwards to take his mind off of it and did fine. Now he is just relaxing.
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Being a baby is hard work.
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We had some friends over for Winston’s one month day.
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Elliot had a friend to play with too!
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Happy one month, Winston!

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It’s a boy!

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We are having a boy! Due date is May 6th, 2015. Pregnancy is, well, pregnancy so far. I have felt pretty much the same as I did with Elliot. Not too much nausea, but soooooo tired. 2nd trimester has helped some. So has thyroid hormone. I am trying to be more careful about what I eat this time. Hopefully, this one won’t be quite so big!

Elliot was excellent at the ultrasound! Logan talked him through everything and Elliot said that the ultrasound would make me feel better, since that’s is pretty much the only reason you go to the doctor in his mind. When the sonographer revealed the gender, Logan told Elliot that the baby had a wiener and Elliot responded that he also had a wiener!

Logan made an awesome ginger bread house for the gender reveal party at his parent’s house. He filled it with blue candy and then Elliot took of the roof to show everyone. Of course, Elliot had already spilled the beans when Gam Gam asked if he was having a brother or a sister…
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A few weeks ago, we were at Gingy’s and Logan was actually sleeping in. Elliot snuck upstairs and after the drawn out process of climbing into bed (which is kinda tall) with his sleeping daddy he asked, “Daddy, can you get my blankies?” Logan said no.

We did early Christmas last weekend. This might be Elliot gift of the year.
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He also got Candy land with real chocolate, a bell for his trains, and Angry Birds cartoons. We did stocking tonight and he got candy, matching game with Holiday Disney Characters, and a football with a bear.
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We are excited to see what Santa will bring!

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Happy Thanksgiving! Now with more BABIES!

We celebrated THanksgiving at Gam Gam’s this year! First we took a little trip to a playground in Pigeon Forge.
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Then everyone tried to get Elliot to nap, but he wasn’t too interested…
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Cousins Charlotte and Knisley came over. Here’s Knisley getting a kiss and a nose!
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So many babies!
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Bryce and Elliot make pizza!
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Elliot and Charlotte pose!
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Action shots of Elliot taking Charlotte’s ball.
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Better watch out!
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Elliot’s Christmas list
http://youtu.be/VOQ5Wkouerg

Acción de gracias feliz!
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Also, as a side note into our recent happenings, Elliot has developed eczema, which required a trip to the pediatrician, 1 hour wait office wait, and 2 minutes with a dermatology PA to figure out. I was surprised that it took us that long to see the dermatology PA since as soon as we got to the specialist office Elliot said to the secretary in his most pitiful voice, “Are you going to make me feel better?” Good try buddy.

The eczema has set us waaaaay back on the sleep training, such that I am lying down with him again to get him to sleep and we are getting woken up at least once most nights. I put him back in bed in the middle of the night and got in with him. I proceeded to tuck us both in when he started screaming “I WANTED TO FIX IT! AHHHHHH!” which would have been pretty hilarious but I was awfully tired. I’m still not really sure what it was that he wanted to fix… the blankets? Who knows…

Also, Logan had Elliot over at Charlotte’s after her birthday recently and Elliot was enjoying pursing her new toys while Charlotte happily followed. Eventually, Elliot asked Logan, “Daddy, can you hold your Charlotte for a little bit?”

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Party with THOMAS & FRIENDS!

Happy birthday buddy! We had your birthday party at Camp LeConte this year!
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Up Up Up!

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Here you are enjoying Daddy’s BBQ with Thomas!

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Here you are sliding on the slide!

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Here you are with your birthday cake, courtesy Gingy!

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Your uncle Art was so excited to give you this Thomas Tent!

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Here you are enjoying your tent!

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Here you are with your Thomas Potty Chair from your Gam Gam and Slappy!

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You got a fun Bubble Hurricane from Penny and Marty!

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http://youtu.be/QVBwWLjsaNc

The next morning you did this!
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Whoa!

Big thanks to Grandpa for taking the video footage!

Today you went to the doctor. You had to get one shot and you did very well! You even said “Thank you people!” as the nurse was leaving the room after your shot. You were brave AND polite!

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18 month check-up

I took today off and Elliot, Logan, and I found a nice park on Martin Mill and had a nice picnic lunch.

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Logan – “He’s outstanding in his field!”

Elliot had his 18 month check up this afternoon and had to get four shots… But he did great! He cried when the nurse stuck him and I hugged him tight and said I was sorry. Then he got over it right away, like it never happened. I was so proud. My brave sweet boy! He also gave the doctor a fist bump!

Tonight, I found a way to get him to let me brush his teeth really well. I put a toothbrush in my mouth and let him brush my teeth while I brushed his. Logan tells me he does something similar with brushing his hair where they take turns styling each other.

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Your weekly update

I picked out the following pictures for Elliot’s baby book and frame.

Don’t they look cool!

I woke Gingy and Grandpa Monday morning with a baby surprise! I brought Elliot to them as I was leaving for work. I was going to try to sneak him in bed with them but they woke up. They were happy to see him and he was happy to see them. Mom said he was just wiggling and flailing his extremities excitedly!

Gingy got Elliot a Bumbo, which he enjoys.

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I lucked out and did not have to go to conference, so I met Elliot, Logan, Gingy, Grandpa, and Tom for lunch at Agave Azul. It was great to get to see them, especially since Grandpa was heading home that afternoon.

That night we had a scary storm, but Elliot was not afraid. Logan and I would say “boom!” as the thunder struck so he would think we were making the funny noises. I took Elliot to Gingy briefly, “We just wanted to make sure you weren’t scared!

The next day, I brought Gingy Elliot again as I was leaving and Logan took the opportunity to go run for the first time in about a month. It sounded like it went well.

Wednesday, Elliot played with his toy dog that Kyra gave him. I need to get the video from Gingy, but it was pretty funny. He would wrap his arms and legs around the dog and suck on it’s nose! Logan smoked some salmon and ribs for dinner and we had Logan’s family over for food and entertainment. Afterwards, we went to Cardin’s Drive-through for milkshakes. Logan got the PB and J milkshake, which is probably their strangest flavor. I got that milkshake the week of my due date but it didn’t put me into labor unfortunately…

Thursday morning I had to give pulmonary conference. I was there early setting up the cases when the pathology resident who was giving the pathology part of the conference walked in. I asked him how his new baby (5 weeks old) was doing and he grumbled, “She’s not sleeping through the night…” I asked him how much she was waking up and he told me anywhere from every 2 hrs to every 20 minutes! I asked if she had GERD and he said that she did! They were trying the Zantac currently. I recommended the Prevacid and told him that he could come cry on my shoulder if he needed to. A cardiothoracic surgeon and his NP were listening in, and the NP said, “I’m glad we’re old!” I’m just glad to be past that misery!

Gingy left on Friday. We were glad she could stay with us so long. Everything runs a little smoother when she is here. She told me that she already misses Elliot (and me).

Today I got out Elliot’s doctor costume, since it is a 3-6 month outfit. I don’t think it will make it to Halloween!

Dr. Baby to the OR, stat!

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2 Month Check-up

Yesterday, Logan had court in the morning. Slappy, Linzy, and Gam Gam all took turns watching him throughout the day. Logan noticed that Gam Gam seems to be able to get Elliot to sleep so he studied her technique. She uses several blankets and wraps him up loosely. So we are trying that now. It seems to keep him asleep just as long as the velcro swaddle but he doesn’t wake up mad.

Logan bought Elliot a new Jungle James. He found one for sale at T. J. Maxx and couldn’t resist. This one has lights and sounds and a tummy time pillow!


I think his expression in this picture looks a lot like my baby pictures.

Elliot had his 2 month check up today with Dr. Dave. I managed to rush out of work a little early and meet them for the appointment. I was glad that I did! Elliot needed 3 shots today for routine vaccinations. I held him while the nurse stuck him and then I fed him shortly after, which made him practically forget what had happened! He has been pretty sore this evening though, so we gave him some Infant Tylenol drops. They seem to be working. He also has George Harrison Horse, which helps.

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Slept Through the Night*!

*with only 3 interruptions for feeding and diapering yesterday night!

This is a significant improvement! The pediatrician was so pleased with our progress that he decided to suspended our weekly visits. Last week he told us something interesting. Apparently, babies are suppose to double their weight by six months. “Double!” I said. “That’s not fair! He started ahead!” Good grief. Thinking about lugging around a 19.5 lb six month old, not to mention all the breastfeeding to get to that point… I’m gonna be in great shape!

Speaking of size, he was 12lb 7oz at his last weight check. I guess we are making good progress towards his 6 month goal. He now wears size 2 diapers and fills out his 3-6 month clothes pretty well.

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Uncle Art Comes to Visit, Uncle Tom Comes to Stay

Uncle Art came in on Wednesday to see baby Elliot and the new house. He came in at about 11:30 PM so Elliot and I were already asleep. I first saw Art yesterday at 6AM when Elliot was screaming to be fed after we gave him his medicine. Elliot woke the whole house up! Tom, who had just moved in, had a patriotic string of lights hung up in his room which mesmerized Elliot enough to calm him down… I fed him and then Tom held him for several hours that morning.

Logan got Elliot to take a bottle yesterday morning, which makes me feel relieved. I don’t know what we would do if he was not taking a bottle by the time I have to go back to work. I suppose I could take Elliot to work… I bet that wouldn’t be disruptive.

Yesterday morning we went back to see Dr. Dave at Kid’s Choice Pediatrics for follow up. I told him that I thought the Zantac was helping some but we were still having issues. He started to adjust the dose up for the medicine, but when he saw my nursing log (particularly where he nursed almost nonstop Wednesday evening from 4:30 to 10) he prescribed him Prevacid, which unfortunately is not generic, but if it works it’ll be worth it.

Here’s an amusing anecdote: Elliot needed a diaper change and I was talking to the nurse. Logan asked me to hand him a diaper so I grabbed a whole handful diapers and handed them to him without thinking. Logan responded, “I only need 1 diaper, but I also need the Desitin and wipes!”

We had Gondolier for lunch, which Elliot nearly slept through. At least he was not the loudest kid in the restaurant (that sounds like a good title for a parenting book).

That afternoon I played Rockband for the first time since Elliot was born. I was on keyboards, Art was on guitar, and Logan was on vocals. Then we hung out on the back porch for awhile. Tom was working on some contraption to moisten wheat and Art was figuring on apartments in Birmingham. Logan found him a house for rent which will hopefully be good for Art. We had hamburgers for dinner and Tom commented that he likes Sara Lee’s buns. Art and I gave Elliot his first dose of his new medicine. This one is a pill that you dissolve in water. He didn’t seem to mind it too much.

Elliot slept most of the afternoon and evening. Elliot and I went to bed at about 9. By 11, we were up again and Elliot was wide awake. Art was up so we had Elliot do a little tummy time for him and then Art sat with me while I rocked Elliot back to sleep.

Then we were up again at 1, and this time it was really bad. Elliot cried and cried such that he had a hard time latching on and when he would latch on he wouldn’t drink but for a couple of minutes before he would choke or start crying again. Logan came down and put Elliot on the dryer, which soothed him until he got off the dryer. I suggested we give him a bottle while on the dryer so that he could finally get some food in him and go to sleep. Logan replied with, “Why don’t we give him a booby? That doesn’t have any preparation time!” So, I nursed Elliot while he was on the dryer and Logan rubbed my back while I nursed since it was a rather awkward position. Elliot went to sleep and he and I spent the rest of the night in the recliner.

The next morning, Logan went to court and Art and I watched tv while Elliot slept or fed. We decided to go to Kanpai of Tokyo for Hibachi. Elliot cried most of the way there and then slept at the restaurant. Art headed back to Nashville after a fond farewell to Elliot and me. We went to Logan’s Aunt Lisa’s afterwards to visit. Her daughter Kyra watched fascinated as I breastfed Elliot.

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We headed home and Elliot and I took a nap. Gam Gam came over and successfully gave him a bottle. He hungrily ate 5fl. oz. of my stored milk and he was still hungry for boob! Later that evening he had a huge spit up right in the middle of our bed. Maybe we over did it?

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Mommy goes to the Doctor

This morning when Elliot went back to sleep at 6AM I was very full, bordering on engorgement. So I pumped. I don’t know what possessed me, either insane curiosity, a need to get my frozen milk supplies up, or just being stupid from the lack of sleep, but I pumped 5 fl.oz., effectively draining both breasts. Big mistake. Elliot slept for a couple of hours and then ate. I thought I had satisfied him, but as soon as we got to the doctor’s office he started wondering where I put his leftovers. The staff were kind and patient as I tried to nurse him. Eventually he got enough to knock him out for a bit and the nurses took him so I could talk to the doctor.
“Have you tried swaddling him?”
“He doesn’t like it. He kicks out.”
“Have you tried the wraps with Velcro?”
“No, he doesn’t like being swaddled.”
“Have you heard of The Happiest Baby on the Block?”
“…”
And so forth…

When I got home I fed Elliot back and forth for almost two hours while I waited on Logan to get home (which took extra long because Aunt Linzy stranded herself and needed a ride). Eventually, Elliot fell asleep (and so did I). When Logan got home, he fed him a bottle and Elliot actually took a couple of ounces! Now we are relaxing after watching Doctor Who while Logan makes pasta for dinner.

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