Last RSV shot for the season

Brandon had his last RSV shot for the season today at Dr. Sembrano's (pulminologist) office. He weighed 16 pounds, 1 ounce so he actually had to get two shots for RSV. Once babies are a certain weight they need 2 shots instead of 1 because the amount of the shot increases based on their weight. Needless to say Brandon was not at all happy. He screamed and then cried and cried for awhile. Unfortunately Brandon is still not allowed out in public. There were two babies this month that were hospitalized at our hospital with RSV so it is still out in our community. Dr. Sembrano said I have to wait until May 1st to take him out into public to stores, restaurants, friend's houses, etc. We have made it this long already so I can make it one more month. His health is more important than going to those places and I would rather spend another month with him in the house than a week or two at the hospital if he gets RSV. At least it is warmer out now and it is ok to bring Brandon outside so we will be going for many walks at the park near here. I have to call Dr. Sembrano's office in August and they will see if we qualify for shots for the next RSV season. Since Brandon was born so early there is a good chance that he will qualify again.

Sitting Up

Brandon is now sitting on his own for about 30 seconds to a minute.

Sitting in the tub

I decided to put Brandon in the sitting part of his tub today to see if he would like it and he did. We will have to get out his tub toys now that he can sit and play with them when he takes a bath. Soon we are going to have to try to bathe Brandon in his tub seat in the regular tub.

Ready for a Walk

Cowboy Brandon

My parents went to Texas this week and brought Brandon back a cowboy hat. It fits him perfectly. He is not too sure about wearing it but he looks really cute with it on.

Brandon "talking"

Brandon has been "talking" for the last few months. Lately he has started screaming. He will scream if we leave the room and he wants us back in the room and he will scream if we are sitting right in front of him.

Staring at the baby in the mirror

I put Brandon on his tummy in his crib today and he turned himself slightly so that he could look in his mirror that is hanging on the side of the crib. He really enjoyed staring at the baby in the mirror. He also tolerated tummy time in his crib much better than he does when it is on a blanket or on his tummy time mat.

Sitting up without support

Brandon has been working on sitting up the past few weeks with support. He has been doing well with the boppy around him. He sits for awhile and then decides he has had enough and flops down. He still is wobbly so most of the time he does need the support still. Yesterday I sat him by himself to see how long he would last and he lasted 19 seconds before toppling over. I practiced with him again today. He is lasting anywhere from 10-20 seconds before toppling over. I am sure in a few more weeks he will be sitting fully all the time without support.

Rolling from back to belly and back again

Last Wednesday Brandon rolled over from his back to belly for the first time. He has done it a few times since then. He gets really mad when he is on his belly but finally managed to roll back over onto his back today.

So happy

Sunglasses

Becky gave me a pair of sunglasses for Brandon today since she had an extra pair that she had bought for Logan. Brandon modeled them when we got home. He looked really cute in the sunglasses and didn't mind them being on at all.

Happy Anniversary

Stu and I have been married for 3 years today. The last 3 years have gone by so fast. We have been through so much together in the last 3 years. Some more than a couple has to go through in a lifetime. I am so happy that Stu has been by my side to go through everything we have together.I would not have been able to get through this past year without him. I love you Stu, more than words can say.

Happy St. Patrick's Day (and Happy Birthday Uncle Brian)

Tasty Fingers

Brandon's fingers have been in his mouth non-stop the past week. He chomps on his fingers. I think it is because he is teething. Unfortunately his face is starting to break out a little because it gets so much saliva on it from his hands being in his mouth all the time.

I brought Brandon back to the pediatrician on Thursday because he has a cough. The pediatrician said his lungs sound clear so he wasn't really concerned. He said it is possible that he has a cold. He said if he starts to wheeze or gets a fever of 101 to call. If not the cold can last up to 2 weeks. I bought a humidifier and have been running that at night and during naps and it seems to be helping.

My mother-in-laws birthday was yesterday. Rich, Debbie, Ben, and Zack came to NJ Thursday night so that we could celebrate her birthday. Debbie and I took her for a manicure and pedicure yesterday and last night we all went out to eat at Giamano's which is one of our favorite restaurants. Ben, Zack, and Rich were here yesterday when we were getting our nails done. Brandon enjoyed seeing his cousins.

Practicing Sitting Up

Brandon has been practicing sitting up since last Wednesday. He really likes the ball that Brian and Laura gave him so we use that to help him lean forward so that he stays sitting and doesn't topple over. The ball lights up, spins, and plays music and Brandon loves anything with lights.

Teething

I brought Brandon to the pediatrician this afternoon because he was pulling at his ear on and off all weekend and when I took his temperature this morning it was 100.3. I wanted to make sure he didn't have an ear infection. The doctor looked at him and said he sounds good and he doesn't have ear infection. She did see the outline of two teeth on the bottom at the gum line. She thinks he will have teeth within a week. She said the low grade fever and ear pulling can definitely be a sign of teething. He has also been drooling like crazy and constantly is gnawing on his hand. I gave him some tylenol so hopefully that will help him to feel a little better until the teeth come through. He has been as happy as he always is and is constantly smiling.

How Preemie Moms Are Chosen

This was posted on facebook a few days ago by a preemie mom from a group that I am part of.

How Preemie Moms Are Chosen
(Erma Bombeck)

Did you ever wonder how the mothers of premature babies are chosen? Somehow, I visualize God hovering over Earth, selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation.

As he observes, he instructs his angels to take notes in a giant ledger.
"Armstrong, Beth, son. Patron Saint, Matthew.
Forrest, Marjorie, daughter. Patron Saint, Celia.
Rutledge, Carrie, twins. Patron Saint...give her Gerard. He's used to profanity."

Finally, he passes a name to an angel and smiles."Give her a preemie."

The angel is curious. "Why this one, God?She's so happy."

"Exactly," smiles God."Could I give a premature baby a mother who knows no laughter? That would be cruel."

"But does she have the patience?" asks the angel.

"I don't want her to have too much patience, or she'll drown in a sea of self-pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she'll handle it. I watched her today. She has that sense of self and independence so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I'm going to give her has a world of its own. She has to make it live in her world, and that's not going to be easy."

"But Lord, I don't think she even believes in you."

God smiles. "No matter, I can fix that. This one is perfect She has just the right amount of selfishness."

The angel gasps, "Selfishness?! Is that a virtue?"

God nods. "If she can't separate herself from the child occasionally, she will never survive. Yes, here is a woman whom I will bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn't know it yet, but she is to be envied.

She will never take for granted a spoken word.
She will never consider a step ordinary.
When her child says momma for the first time, she will be witness to a miracle and know it.
I will permit her to see clearly the things I see--ignorance, cruelty, prejudice--and allow her to rise above them.
She will never be alone.
I will be at her side every minute of every day of her life because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."

"And what about her Patron Saint?" asks the angel, his pen poised in the air.

God smiles. "A mirror will suffice."

8 Months Old Actual, 5 Months Old Corrected

Brandon is 8 months old today. I can't believe he will be 1 in four months. The past 8 months have flown by. Brandon had an appointment with the GI Specialist, Dr. Teitelbaum, today. He now weighs 15 pounds. Dr. Teitelbaum didn't have too much to say. We are going to keep Brandon on both of his medications for reflux since he is doing well. I think Dr. Teitelbaum would have taken him off the axid but I said he is doing well on both so he will stay on both medications until he goes back in 3 months. In 3 months Brandon will be taken off of the axid and see how he does on just prevacid. Here are some pictures from today. We practiced sitting and he is doing pretty well with it with a boppy pillow behind him. He gets wobbly at times but overall is doing well.

Discharged from Physical Therapy

Brandon had physical therapy today. His physical therapist hadn't been here in a month. That is the longest he had gone. He is doing so well that she discharged him although she said if I notice anything I can call. I asked her about his hips being stiff since the pediatrician mentioned at his appointment 2 weeks ago that they felt stiff. She felt them and said they are ok. She said if the pediatrician looked at him when he wasn't relaxed they could have felt stiff. She worked on sitting up with Brandon and showed me some things to get him to sit. He usually prefers to stand and will push up on his legs when you try to get him in a sitting position. He did really well with what she worked on with him and sat, with the boppy pillow around him, for awhile. I am going to definitely work with him and I am sure he will be sitting soon.

Brandon and Daddy

Stu went to the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Belmar yesterday. I took a picture of Brandon with him. Stu was in his dress uniform since he marched in the parade.

Brandon and Mommy

I realize that most of the time I am the photographer so there are not a lot of pictures of me with Brandon. My parents were here over the weekend so my mom took some pictures of Brandon with me. He was so funny. Every time I just said the word peek a boo he would crack up laughing.

Snow Storm

Last night it snowed. We got close to a foot of snow. I dressed Brandon in his snowsuit this morning and brought him outside so he could see the snow. He was not sure what to think of it but hated being in the snowsuit.