Beach Day

Brandon, Stu, and I went to my parents beach house today in Point Pleasant. As soon as we got to the beach Brandon took off for the water. He had so much fun playing in the water and getting splashed by the waves.




He then played with the sand toys for a little while but really wanted to be in the water.



My dad went back to the beach house to get a small inflatable pool that they had. We had seen someone else on the beach with one so that is where we got the idea. It was perfect. We filled it with ocean water and Brandon LOVED playing in it.

New Jersey Ice Cream Festival

Yesterday Stu, Brandon, my parents, and I went to the New Jersey Ice Cream Festival in Toms River. We got to try ice cream from probably 10 places. Brandon loved trying the different flavors. There was also a band that he enjoyed listening to and dancing to.

Sesame Place

Brandon, Stu, and I went to Sesame Place today. Aside from the ridiculous amount of money it costs to get in and the extremely hot weather we had a lot of fun. We met up with my friend Tara, her husband Paul, and her son Brandon. The week before at Brandon's party I had mentioned we were going to be going to Sesame Place today and Tara said they were planning on going too so we decided to meet up. We had a good time hanging out with them there. We went in the tidal pool, Ernie's Waterworks (a sprayground), on a water ride where we sat in a tube, on the merry go round, and flying Elmo ride (like Dumbo but with Elmo). We also saw the parade, a show with the characters, and the characters. Brandon LOVED the characters...especially Elmo who is his favorite. He gave Elmo a high five, hug, and kiss.

Developmental Clinic Appointment

Brandon had his developmental clinic appointment yesterday. We saw Dr. Alemany for it. He was very happy with how well Brandon is doing. He didn't have any concerns. We did talk to him about the fact that Brandon has been having such a hard time sleeping at night. He only wants to sleep if I am holding him. If not he wakes up crying hysterically and jumping up and down in his crib until I come in. It has gotten a lot worse lately so that it is going on all night. Before he would only wake up 1 or 2 times. We are going away at the end of July and when we get back we are going to have to start the cry it out method with him. I am going to have to put him to sleep awake (I admit I still rock him to sleep) and let him cry 5 minutes, then go in to tell him it is bed time and let him cry 10 minutes, then go in and tell him it is bed time and let him cry 15 minutes. He said not to exceed 15 minutes. At that point I go in everty 15 minutes. Eventually he will fall asleep from exhaustion. Dr. Almenany said the first night is hard, the second night is harder, the third night is usually hard too but usually by the fourth night the crying doesn't go on as long and usually after a week the child will go to sleep relatively easy. It is going to be tough but I think it has to be done.

After his appointment we went to visit the NICU. We saw several nurses that had Brandon a few times when he was in the NICU and all of the other neonatologists.

2 Year Well Visit

Brandon went to the pediatrician yesterday for his 2 year well visit. The doctor was very happy with how well Brandon is doing. He does want to see him back in 6 months to check on his development. Brandon is 33 1/4 inches long which puts him in the 25th percentile for his real age. He was 31 inches at his last appointment when he was 18 months old so he grew over 2 inches in 6 months. He weighs 22 pounds, 4 ounces naked. He is on the low end on the growth chart but the doctor was not concerned. Especially since he gained 2 pounds in 2 months. Brandon got one shot and blood taken to test for lead and something else. He didn't cry when he got his shot but was about to. He had his finger pricked to give blood and that didn't bother him at all or having the nurse squeeze his finger to get the blood out.

Brandon's Party

Brandon's birthday party was yesterday afternoon. We had it at our house and set up 4 pools for the kids and a bounce house. The kids also had our swing set, sandbox, and water table to play with. It was a great party. Brandon had so much fun going in the pools and playing with his friends all afternoon. He was in such a happy mood the whole time. His party was an Elmo theme since he loves Elmo. He was so excited to see the Elmo balloons, cake, and cupcakes. There were 12 kids around Brandon's age there and five older kids. Brandon's preemie friends (the ones whose parents I have been going out to dinner with each month) were among the kids there. We had between 30 and 35 adults between parents of the kids, close friends, and family. Thank you to everyone for making Brandon's party so enjoyable for him.

the cake, cupcakes, and favors





the birthday boy- I got the Elmo romper from etsy.com

Justin

Ava

Logan and Dylan

Mia

Dylan and Brandon

bouncing with Morgan

Jen

Sydney

Tommy hitting the pinata

Brandon and Danny

Brandon and his friend, Brandon

eating his cupcake

Brandon's preemie friends and their moms

having fun in the pools