Austin's Blog - Sweet Potatoes

I haven't been blogging much lately. I've been busy going to daycare, eating, sleeping and growing, but I had to chime in on this latest development in my life. It's called sweet potatoes. Now I'm no expert, but according to my Rachel Ray Baby Cookbook, there should be marshmallows involved. I wouldn't object to a little brown sugar and butter either!

See, it says right here on the package, "Marshmallows are the perfect compliment to Gerber 1st Foods Sweet Potatoes". Come on Mommy, don't be so old school. Lose the rice cereal and bring on the sweet sticky stuff!

Austin's Blog: RSV & Hospital

Things were going along just fine. I was getting used to being at home with Mommy, Daddy and Brenna. The dogs weren't scaring me every time they came up to try to sneak in a lick or two. Grammie, Grandpa and Mimi had come for a visit which I really enjoyed. Then all of a sudden I got this thing called a cough. It started out small on Sunday; just an annoyance, but by Thursday, I was not feeling so good. It hurt really bad every time I coughed and all I wanted to do was sleep. Waking up to nurse took a lot of effort, and I could only stay awake for 5 to 10 minutes to eat. With the weekend coming up, Mommy and Daddy thought it would be best if I went to see the baby doctor. Uh oh, I'm still not over the circumcision thing, so this didn't sound like a good plan to me at all. I'm only 4 weeks old, so I guess I don't get much of a say in these things.

Friday afternoon, Mommy took me to the baby doctor. The nurse calls us back to the exam room and gets my weight. Holy cow, I'm over 9 pounds! I gained almost 2 pounds in 2 weeks. Breast milk has been "berry berry good to me"! That was about all the good news I got that day. The nurse talked to Mommy about how I had been doing, and she brought in a monitor to see how my oxygen levels were. Now I'm only 4 weeks old, but even I know the importance of oxygen. Apparently my oxygen levels were not up to snuff, since the nurse went out in the hall to call the doctor to the room immediately. The doctor came in and listened to my breathing and my heart and watched my tummy to see how hard I was working to breathe. He asked the nurse to give me some oxygen and my levels shot right up where they should be. I felt so much better with that lovely air streaming into my lungs. Maybe this doctor guy isn't all bad after all.

The next thing I know some guys all dressed in blue came into the exam room asking Mommy lots of questions. I wasn't really listening; I was just happy to have that lovely air still coming my way. Mommy put me in my car seat and I thought we were going to go home. Instead of getting into Mommy's car we got in a thing called an ambulance. The guys in blue strapped my car seat down to what looked like a bed. Again I didn't mind as long as we were moving and the wonderful air kept coming. The guys in blue gave us a ride to a big building called a hospital. There the nurses took over. They stripped me down, weighed me in my birthday suit (still over 9 pounds; yay me), and gave me the once and twice over. Sometimes they let me keep the wonderful air and sometimes they took it away. I didn't like it too much when it was gone. I kind of felt groggy and listless without it.

Now with nurses, you kind of have to keep your eye on them. One minute they are cooing and cuddling you wrapping you in warm blankets, and the next minute they are sticking tubes up your nose trying to suck the gunky stuff out. I REALLY don't recommend having this done; it is not pleasant at all. They tried to tell me that I would feel better after, but I had a hard time believing them while it was happening. The other thing that nurses do in your "best interest" is stick a thermometer up your bum. Is this really necessary? I would tell you if I was hot wouldn't I? I wasn't!

Daddy and Brenna arrived shortly after we got there. It was crazy hair day at Brenna's school and her hair-do and outfit was a big hit with all the nurses and doctors. That was fine with me. It took the spotlight off me for a minute and the poking a prodding stopped. Another doctor came in to check me out and told Mommy and Daddy that he wanted to do an x-ray of my lungs to make sure I didn't have something called pneumonia. Brenna went with us to the x-ray room. It was her job to make sure that Mommy and Daddy didn't wander off. She held their hands and made them stay put. She's so responsible that Brenna.

After the x-ray, we went back to the exam room. The nice nurse in the pink scrubs came to tell us that we were going to spend the night in the hospital, since I really needed the wonderful air (ahh) and the suctioning (ugh). She also told us that the x-ray was negative for pneumonia. Now, I'm not sure what that is, but Mommy and Daddy seemed relieved, so I was too. The other thing she told us was that I had a virus called RSV, Respiratory Syncytial Virus, and that's what was making me sick. The virus had led to Bronchiolitis which was making it hard for me to breathe and creating all that junk in my lungs. She told us that there was a room ready for us upstairs. She seemed very excited that a room was ready and we wouldn't have to wait a long time for one. Again, I didn't really care as long as the wonderful air kept coming and Mommy and Daddy didn't leave.

Mommy's friend, Pam, came to the hospital and took Brenna to get some dinner. Aparently hospitals are pretty boring when you are four, and Brenna was very excited to get the chance to hang out with Pam. Later that night, Pam brought Brenna back to the hospital with some things for Mommy to be able to spend the night. Brenna decided that she wanted to sleep over at Pam's house. This kind of surprised Mommy. It was the first time Brenna had slept away from our house without Mommy or Daddy. She's such a big girl. I hope I'm that brave at four.

I slept fine that first night, but Mommy didn't do so well. There was another baby in the room with us and he cried all night long. It didn't bother me a bit, but Mommy kept waking up trying to figure out if it was me or the other baby crying. Saturday morning Daddy came back to the hospital, and aparently he didn't sleep very well at home all by himself. I guess he's not as brave as Brenna! Pam brought Brenna up to the hospital after a morning of breakfast eating and play. Pam, Brenna and Mommy left for a little while to do something called "retail therapy". One of Pam's favorite stores, Hip and Humble, was having a sale that she couldn't pass up. Daddy told Mommy she should go along to get some fresh air and take a break. After shopping Pam took Brenna to Stephanie's house for an afternoon of play. Stephanie is another one of Mommy's work friends. Brenna had a blast playing at her house with her two kids, Connor and Quinn.

That evening Meredith, another of Mommy's work friends, brought Mommy and Daddy dinner for a break from cafeteria food. After they ate, Meredith came upstairs and snuggled me for a little while. Mommy kept telling Daddy how lucky they were to have friends like Pam, Stephanie and Meredith who come rushing to your side when you need them. I know it made a difference to them to know that Brenna was in good hands and having fun, so they could concentrate on taking care of me.

Over the next couple of days, the nurses worked at getting me to not need the wonderful air so much and to not need the suctioning. I was all for the latter, but wanted to hold on to the former. Finally on Monday, I decided that I could do without the wonderful air, and the doctors let us go home. You should have seen how fast Daddy got all of our things packed up and out to the car! We even made it out of there in time to get Brenna to gymnastics.

Well, that was my big adventure to the hospital. I'm doing much better now. My appetite is back and I'm not so groggy anymore. I go back to the baby doctor tomorrow for a check-up, and hopefully he will say I'm right as rain. I heard Mommy tell someone that she is going to pack a bag just in case...but I know that she won't need it. I've had enough poking, prodding and monitoring for this short lifetime!

Austin's Blog - Day 3, Feb 14

Sorry I haven't kept up with my blog as diligently as some may like. This sleeping, eating and filling my diapers takes up more time each day than I thought it would. So where were we? Oh yeah, Day 2 was not so good with the circumcision thing. On Day 3, we did something called "going home". Mommy was sure excited to get out of the hospital. I'm not sure why. The nice nurses brought her medicine when she was hurting and the dietary ladies brought her meals whenever she was hungry. What's not to like? She kept talking about how uncomfortable the bed was and how she couldn't get any rest. Ha! Just you wait Mommy!

Anyway, we waited around for the baby doctor (still watching him like a hawk) and Mommy's doctor to check us out so we could leave. Boy, was that a process. Who knew I needed so much stuff! There were diaper bags from the hospital with lots of goodies, flower arrangements (sure wish I could see that far; I'm sure they're beautiful), luggage, cameras and Brenna's toys. After several trips to the car, Daddy said we were ready. The nice nurse wheeled Mommy out to the car, and I rode in this think called a car seat. Lots of straps holding me down. Not quite sure if I'm liking it, but both Mommy and Daddy gave me no choice...something about safety...whatever I'm a boy aren't I supposed to live on the edge?

We arrived home, which for me wasn't much different...still sleeping, eating and filling my diaper, but Mommy and Daddy sure did seem happy. I think I heard Mommy sigh with relief the first night she slept in her own bed...something about how soft the sheets are. Too bad she won't get to spend much time in them! ;)

Austin's Blog - Day 2, Feb 13

It started out like any other normal day (at least compared to Day 1; hey, it's all I've got for perspective). Woke up, had a little breakfast courtesy of Mommy, had a little nap, Daddy and Brenna came for a visit... Mommy took a shower (Daddy said she really needed one) while Brenna and Daddy held me. The next thing I know, the baby doctor came into the room and told Daddy he'd be ready for me in about 10 minutes. I wasn't sure what that meant. Up until now visits from the baby doctor had been pretty pleasant. He would listen to my heart and breathing, check out my umbilical cord and check my weight, so naturally I had nothing to fear. Boy was I naive.

So 10 minutes go by and the baby doctor comes back to let us know everything is set up. Daddy came with me this time; that should have been my first clue that I should have stayed behind with Mommy and Brenna. We go down to the nursery and the baby doctor does what he called a circumcision. The word sounds innocent enough, but believe me IT IS NOT! All I can say is OUCH and DON'T TOUCH IT!

Mommy says that I won't even remember that it happened once it heals, but I'm not so sure. I'm going to keep my eye on the baby doctor from now on.

Austin's Blog - Day 1, Feb 12

So, we’re at the hospital in the OR and the next thing I know someone’s hand is reaching for me and the light is very bright. Oh boy was it cold in there. Someone, please get me a blanket! I got to see Mommy for a minute, and then they took me over to a bassinet and started cleaning me up. I was pretty mad about having a tube stuck down my throat, but it sure did feel better when they got all that stuff out of my mouth, throat and lungs. Finally they wrapped me up and I didn’t feel so bad.

A little while later, after she was done with the doctor in the OR, I got to meet Mommy for the first time. I looked up at her and as soon as she said my name, I recognized the voice I’d been hearing all these months and knew I was in the right hands. We snuggled for a little while, but boy I was sure tired. Being born is hard work.

Next thing I know, a nurse came to get me for something called bath. I sure didn't like being undressed and wet. Daddy was there. I was hoping he would save me from all that water and soap, but I think he was in cahoots with the nurses. Finally that ordeal was over and they brought me back to my Mommy.

Daddy went home to take a shower and get my big sister, Brenna. I’ve been wondering about this girl who’s been talking and singing to me through Mommy’s belly. In the meantime, Mommy’s friend, Pam, came for a quick visit before she had to go to work. I could tell right away that Pam loves babies. She was so excited to see me and hold me.

After Pam left, Daddy arrived with Brenna. She sure was excited to see me and wanted to hold me as soon as she walked in the door. Daddy helped her get me into the right position and we cuddled for a good long while. Brenna is kind of wiggly, so I was a little nervous at first. She settled down and we had a good time getting to know each other.

I spent the rest of the day getting used to the big world of Mommy's hospital room, learning how to eat and sleeping (sometimes in my bassinet, but most of the time on Daddy's chest - a great place to be).

Later in the evening, Mommy's friends Stephanie and Meredith came for a visit. They brought magazines for Mommy and a bottle of wine for Daddy. It's good to have friends who know what you need!

Austin's Blog - Day 0, Feb 11

Austin told me he'd like to share his first few days in the big new world with you from his perspective...so here goes:

It was just another day in the paradise of Mommy’s womb. From what I can tell, we went to work, had lunch with the girls at Blue Iguana (beef tacos – yum), rode the train (Mommy was afraid of going into labor while driving), had dinner with Daddy and that girl who is never quiet(Brenna, yeah that’s her name) at Mark Anthony’s (seafood ravioli – more yum), and went home. I was doing my normal moving around after Mommy laid down when all of a sudden, somebody pulled the plug on all the nice warm fluid that had been surrounding me. I could tell something exciting was happening. Mommy was up getting dressed and Daddy too. They kept talking about how far apart the contractions were. We had to wait for Mommy’s friend Pam to come to the house to be with Brenna (the dogs are great, but not good at babysitting). Then we were off to the hospital.

Once we got to the hospital, I could hear lots of voices I didn’t recognize. They were asking Mommy and Daddy lots of questions. To be continued…